SEARCHCOHORTepidemiology, public health

cohort·epidemiology, public health, geriatrics, family medicine, internal medicine·PMC10403929

Incidence and risk factors for polypharmacy among elderly people assisted by primary health care in Brazil

BMC Geriatrics · 5 authors, 1 centre

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TL;DR

This census-based prospective longitudinal study followed 128 elderly individuals (aged ≥60) in a Brazilian municipality from 2010 to 2021.

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This census-based prospective longitudinal study followed 128 elderly individuals (aged ≥60) in a Brazilian municipality from 2010 to 2021. At baseline, all participants were free of polypharmacy (defined as simultaneous use of ≥5 drugs). Data were collected via structured household surveys. The primary result was an incidence of polypharmacy of 46.1% over the 11-year period. Multivariate Poisson regression identified that the highest number of health problems was a statistically significant risk factor for developing polypharmacy (RR=1.177; 95% CI 1.093–1.267). The findings indicate a high incidence of polypharmacy in this primary care population, suggesting a need for policies and actions to promote rational drug use in the elderly.

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cohort

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epidemiology

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ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10403929

Incidence and risk factors for polypharmacy among elderly people assisted by primary health care in Brazil

BMC Geriatrics

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ABSTRACT

Abstract Background Polypharmacy is recognized as a global public health problem and one of the greatest challenges related to the aging population. Few studies have investigated the incidence and risk factors for polypharmacy among elderly individuals. These studies provided important information on the issue but were developed in high-income countries. This study investigates the incidence and risk factors for polypharmacy among elderly people assisted by primary health care over a period of 11 years. Methods This was a census-based prospective longitudinal study that included people aged 60 years or older living in a small municipality in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The baseline occurred in 2010 and the second wave of the study occurred in 2021. The study population consisted of elderly individuals who did not use polypharmacy at baseline and were reinterviewed in 2021 ( N = 128). Data collection in the first and second waves was performed through a household survey using a structured questionnaire. The dependent variable was polypharmacy, defined as the simultaneous use of 5 or more drugs. The independent variables included sociodemographic, health and functionality factors. For multivariate analyses, Poisson regression with robust variance was used, estimating the relative risk and 95% confidence intervals. Results The incidence of polypharmacy was 46.1% in the 11-year period. The highest number of health problems was a risk factor for polypharmacy (RR = 1.177; 95% CI 1.093–1.267). Conclusions The incidence of polypharmacy among elderly people assisted in primary health care in Brazil is high. The number of diseases is a risk factor for polypharmacy. These results have implications for future primary health care practices and may support the development of policies, actions and services aimed at reducing polypharmacy and promoting the rational use of drugs in the population at higher risk. Keywords: Aged, Polypharmacy, Primary health care

CITATION EXPORT

Andréia Mascarelo, Ana Luisa Sant’Anna Alves, Siomara Regina Hahn et al.. Incidence and risk factors for polypharmacy among elderly people assisted by primary health care in Brazil. BMC Geriatrics. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04195-4

AUTHORS

5 · 1 CENTRES

Andréia Mascarelo, Ana Luisa Sant’Anna Alves, Siomara Regina Hahn, Marlene Doring, Marilene Rodrigues Portella

1Postgraduate Program in Human Aging, University of Passo Fundo/UPF, BR 285 Km 292,7, Campus I, Bairro São José, Passo Fundo, RS CEP 99052-900 Brazil