Drug-related problems and polypharmacy in nursing home residents: a cross-sectional study

[EN] At present, 19.2% of the Spanish population is aged 65 or older. Polypharmacy is a frequent condition among the elderly, especially in those living in nursing homes, which is associated with adverse outcomes, such as adverse drug events or drug-drug interactions. This study aimed to assess the...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Díez Láiz, Raquel, Cadenas, Raquel, Susperregui Lesaca, Julián, Sahagún Prieto, Ana María, Fernández Martínez, María Nélida, García Viéitez, Juan José, Sierra Vega, Matilde, López Cadenas, Cristina
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2022
País:España
Institución:Universidad de León
Repositorio:BULERIA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de León
OAI Identifier:oai:buleria.unileon.es:10612/17763
Acceso en línea:https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/7/4313
https://hdl.handle.net/10612/17763
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Farmacología
Veterinaria
drug-drug interactions
drug-related problems
elderly
medication
nursing home
polypharmacy
32 Ciencias Médicas
3209 Farmacología
3209.03 Evaluación de Medicamentos
Descripción
Sumario:[EN] At present, 19.2% of the Spanish population is aged 65 or older. Polypharmacy is a frequent condition among the elderly, especially in those living in nursing homes, which is associated with adverse outcomes, such as adverse drug events or drug-drug interactions. This study aimed to assess the pattern of polypharmacy in a nursing home in León, one of Spain’s most ageing regions, and its relationship with different drug-related problems. A descriptive, observational, and crosssectional study design was used; 222 residents were involved in this study. Data on drug use were collected from medical charts. Information was screened with the software CheckTheMeds, BOT PLUS and Drug-Reax. Residents were on a median of 7 medicines. Polypharmacy and inappropriate medications were present in 78.8% and 96.8% of residents, respectively. Drug-related problems were present in almost all the populations evaluated. Drug-drug interactions were very common in participants (81.1%), being severe/moderate in 24.7%. A high prevalence of polypharmacy and drugrelated problems in the nursing home population assessed has been observed. A significantly higher risk of suffering drug-drug interactions was revealed for increasing polypharmacy and anticholinergic risk. A regular evaluation of drug prescribing in nursing home residents is necessary to minimize drug-related problems risk.