Prevalence and Associated Factors of Polypharmacy in Nursing Home Residents: A Cross-Sectional Study

[EN] In Spain, there has been a progressive increase in aging. Specifically, Leon has been one of the Spanish provinces with the highest aging index. Polypharmacy is highly prevalent among the elderly, with significant consequences for safety. The aim of this study was to assess the consumption of d...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Cadenas Santos, Raquel, Diez Liébana, María José, Fernández Martínez, María Nélida, Sahagún Prieto, Ana María, Sierra Vega, Matilde, López Cadenas, Cristina, Susperregui Lesaca, Julián, Díez Láiz, Raquel, García Viéitez, Juan José
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2021
País:España
Institución:Universidad Rey Juan Carlos
Repositorio:BULERIA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de León
OAI Identifier:oai:buleria.unileon.es:10612/17710
Acceso en línea:https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/4/2037
https://hdl.handle.net/10612/17710
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Farmacología
Aging
Elderly
Medication
Nursing home
Polypharmacy
Public health
3208 Farmacodinámica
3209 Farmacología
Descripción
Sumario:[EN] In Spain, there has been a progressive increase in aging. Specifically, Leon has been one of the Spanish provinces with the highest aging index. Polypharmacy is highly prevalent among the elderly, with significant consequences for safety. The aim of this study was to assess the consumption of drugs in a nursing home in the province of Leon and establish the relationship between polypharmacy and the most common comorbid diseases. A descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study design was used. Residents’ information and treatments were collected by reviewing on medical charts, completed with clinical information obtained from the physician of the nursing home. The mean age of residents was 86.8 years, and 63.8% were female. Mean medical consumption amounted to 7.02 prescriptions. Polypharmacy was observed in 54.9% of residents, and excessive polypharmacy in 22.1%. The most commonly used medications (ATC classification) were those acting on the cardiovascular system (84.4%) and the nervous system (82.8%). A high-level of drug consumption was observed in the nursing home. Interventions should focus on those residents hospitalized the last year and with recent contact with a general practitioner. There is a need to develop a comprehensive monitoring system to assess the quality of prescriptions for nursing home residents.