Prevalence of Polypharmacy of Older People in a Large Brazilian Urban Center and its Associated Factors

Abstract

With the aging population comes greater risks associated with polypharmacy, a significant public health problem. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of polypharmacy and its associated factors through Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) among older adults treated in primary health care (PHC) in a large Brazilian urban center. We conducted a cross-sectional study with a random sampling of 400 older adults using primary health care. Polypharmacy was defined as the cumulative use of five or more daily medications. An assessment of a sociodemographic and health survey, fear of falling, and physical disabilities affecting activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living was conducted. The mean age was 75.23 (SD: 8.53) years. The prevalence of polypharmacy and hyperpolypharmacy was 37% (n = 148) and 1% (n = 4), respectively. The adjusted logistic regression showed that participants with chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs) (OR = 9.24; p = 0.003), diabetes (OR = 1.93; p = 0.003), and obesity (OR = 2.15; p = 0.005) were associated with a greater propensity to use polypharmacy. Our results show that older adults with CNCDs, diabetes, and obesity were more likely to use polypharmacy. The results reinforce the importance of using CGA in clinical practice in PHC.