PDG9 PREVALENCE OF POLYMEDICATION IN POOR POPULATION OF THE CARIBBEAN REGION OF COLOMBIA

Abstract

Polypharmacy is an important public health problem because of its financial impact and the risks associated with the inadequate use of medicines in patients involved. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of polypharmacy in a poor population in Colombia. Cross sectional descriptive study of polymedicated patients in 2019 was developed. Data was extracted from the individual outpatient dispense records from a health insurance company in Colombia. Polypharmacy was defined as mild, moderate and severe when patients consumed among 5-9, 10-15 and ≥15 medications in at least a continuous month throughout the year 2019 respectively. Prevalence and characteristics as age, gender and place of residence in polymedicated patients were estimated. 349,637 patients were identified as consumers of medicines in 2019. The overall prevalence of polymedication was 26.6%. The mean number of medications per patient was 6.79± 2.1. Mild polymedication was about 25.3%, moderate 1.2% and severe 0.1%. The average age of a patient with mild, moderate and severe polymedication was 51.9 (CI95%: 51.9-52.0), 64.6 (CI 95%: 64.4-64.7), 52.0 (CI95%: 51.0-52.9) years respectively. Most of polymedicated patients were women (67.5%) and older than 50 years (69.2%). The highest overall prevalence of polymedication was in Magdalena (29.6%). The rest of areas had the following prevalence: Atlántico (28.8%), Bolívar(28.3%) Córdoba(22.6%), Sucre(26.9%). The prevalence of polypharmacy substantially increased with age and with a higher number of chronic conditions. Polymedication is an important risk factor of developing adverse events and drugs interactions that can put in risk life of patients and not always ensure patient improvement. This study provides essential information to take steps towards rational drug consumption in the outpatient care, because it creates awareness of polypharmacy that is a highly prevalent condition in the elderly population.