Prevalence of polypharmacy and associated factors in elderly living in Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil: cross-sectional population-based study, 2014

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the prevalence and factors associated with polypharmacy in
elderly people living in Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil, in 2014. Methods: Cross-sectional
population-based study, verification by complex sampling, with elderly people.
Polypharmacy was defined as the concomitant use of five or more drugs. Results: The
prevalence of polypharmacy was 14.9% (95%IC 11,8;18,6), positively associated with
females (OR=2.29 – 95%CI 1.41;3.74), white skin color (OR=1.61 – 95%CI 1.10;2.38),
dependence (OR=1.65 – 95%CI 1.05;2.60), change in eating habits/diet use (OR=1.66 –
95%CI 1,16;2.36), hospitalization in the last 12 months (OR=1.61 – 95%CI 1.02;2.53)
and presence of the following self-reported morbidities: systemic arterial hypertension
(OR=2.40 – 95%CI 1.33;4.34), diabetes mellitus (OR=2.17 – 95%CI 1.23;3.84),
osteoporosis (OR=2.92 – 95%CI 1.84;4.64) and problems (OR=2.94 – 95%CI
1.90;4.56). Conclusion: The polypharmacy in the elderly found in this study was
associated with demographic and health conditions.