Polypharmacy, comorbidity and frailty: a complex interplay in older patients at the emergency department

Abstract

Key summary pointsAimTo investigate the association of polypharmacy with adverse health outcomes, in relation to comorbidity and frailty.FindingsExcessive polypharmacy (≥ 10 medications) is highly prevalent in older adults at the emergency department and associated with falls, mortality and readmission. Frailty and comorbidity partly drive the association of polypharmacy with adverse health outcomes.MessageTrials that target polypharmacy and inappropriate prescribing are needed to answer the lingering question of causality in the observed polypharmacy–mortality association and to evaluate whether medication review improves health outcomes in older patients at the ED.