Abstract
BackgroundPolypharmacy is a reality in long-term care facilities. However, number of medications used by the patient should not be the only predictor of a complex pharmacotherapy. Although the level of complexity of pharmacotherapy is considered an important factor that may lead to side effects, there are few studies in this field. The aim of this study was to evaluate the complexity of pharmacotherapy in residents of three long-term care facilities.MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate the complexity of pharmacotherapy using the protocols laid out in the Medication Regimen Complexity Index instrument in three long-term care facilities in northeastern Brazil. As a secondary result, potential drug interactions, potentially inappropriate medications, medication duplication, and polypharmacy were evaluated. After the assessment, the association among these variables and the Medication Regimen Complexity Index was performed.ResultsIn this study, there was a higher prevalence of women (64.4%) with a high mean age among the study population of 81.8 (±9.7) years. The complexity of pharmacotherapy obtained a mean of 15.1 points (±9.8), with a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 59. The highest levels of complexity were associated with dose frequency, with a mean of 5.5 (±3.6), followed by additional instructions of use averaging 4.9 (±3.7) and by the dosage forms averaging 4.6 (±3.0).ConclusionsThe present study evaluated some factors that complicate the pharmacotherapy of geriatric patients. Although polypharmacy was implicated as a factor directly related to complexity, other indicators such as drug interactions, potentially inappropriate medications, and therapeutic duplication can also make the use of pharmacotherapy in such patients more difficult.
Highlights
Polypharmacy is a reality in long-term care facilities
One of the most important aspects influencing the complexity of pharmacotherapy in geriatric patients is the high prevalence of polypharmacy, which may lead to higher incidence of drug interactions and therapeutic duplications [6, 7]
Aim of the study This study aims to evaluate the complexity of pharmacotherapy in residents of three long-term care facilities (LTCF) in the state of Sergipe
Summary
Polypharmacy is a reality in long-term care facilities. number of medications used by the patient should not be the only predictor of a complex pharmacotherapy. One of the most important aspects influencing the complexity of pharmacotherapy in geriatric patients is the high prevalence of polypharmacy (simultaneous use of five or more drugs), which may lead to higher incidence of drug interactions and therapeutic duplications [6, 7]. Alves-Conceição et al BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology (2017) 18:59 leads to issues with patient compliance, resulting in a lack of adherence to the treatment that affects 40% to 75% of geriatric patients who are on such treatment regimens. This may be associated with confounding variables such as cognitive impairment, limited understanding of instructions, poor communication with health professionals, and increased likelihood of physical limitations [5]
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