Polypharmacy among elderly from Extremadura (Spain)

Abstract

Objective: To determine the percentage of polypharmacy in the autonomous region of Extremadura and the statistically significant associated factors. Patients and method: Transversal and retrospective descriptive study to analyse
the subsample of the National Health Survey 2011/2012, corresponding to adults over the age of 65 resident in Extremadura, made up of 240 users. The variables used were gender, age, civil status, social class, chronic illnesses, perceived state of health, frequency of use of the health services, characteristics of eyesight and hearing, functional dependencies and consumption of medication. Results: 95.4% of those interviewed stated that they consumed some medication and 91.7% had a chronic illness. The most frequent health problems are arthrosis, arthritis, rheumatism and high blood pressure, while the most consumed medicaments are the anti-hypertensive drugs and the analgesics. 29.2% of the population suffer polypharmacy and the variables associated to this in a significant way are: gender, age, the number of chronic illnesses, self-perception of health and functional dependencies. Conclusions: The rational use of medicaments is one of the main challenges for the healthcare system. The periodical revision of pharmacological treatment of the population at risk would be convenient.