Abstract
Objective: Polypharmacy is a well-known risk factor for adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between the use of ≥9 different scheduled medications and the occurrence of ADRs in geriatric nursing home residents. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted in a 1200-bed, county-owned and -operated, longterm care skilled nursing facility Participants were 335 subjects aged ≥65 years who were present at the facility during the index month of October 1998. Hospice, respite care, and rehabilitation patients were excluded. Use of ≥9 different scheduled medications was defined a priori as routinely administered medications, excluding as-needed agents, topical agents, 1-time administration, and vaccinations. ADRs were identified by voluntary reporting and by chart review during a 12-month period. ADRs were assessed individually by 2 clinical pharmacists applying the Naranjo ADR probability scale. Results: A total of 207 ADRs were identified. The cohort receiving ≥9 scheduled medications (n = 43) experienced 53 ADRs, compared with 154 ADRs in the control group receiving <9 medications (n = 292). The demographic distribution was similar in both cohorts, with white as the dominant ethnicity; 45% were white in the control group and 51% were white in the cohort group receiving ≥9 scheduled medications. The sex distribution was also similar, with women outnumbering men in both cohorts: 60% and 81% were women in the control and cohort groups, respectively. The mean age was 72 years (range, 65–100 years). After the data were adjusted for the number of days each subject was at risk for experiencing an ADR, subjects using ≥9 different scheduled medications were 2.33 times more likely than controls to experience an ADR (95% CI, 1.54–3.52; P < 0.001). Conclusion: A positive correlation between the use of ≥9 different scheduled medications and ADRs was found among these geriatric nursing home residents.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
