Polypharmacy

The Annals of Long Term care reported on the problem of polypharmacy in the nursing home industry. Polypharmacy causes adverse outcomes like negative drug events and interactions among older individuals living in nursing homes (NHs). In the NH population in this study, researchers observed a significant prevalence of drug-related problems and chemical restraints.

Researchers sought to examine patterns of polypharmacy and its relationship with various drug-related problems in a NH in Leon, Spain. Data revealed polypharmacy and inappropriate medications were present in 78.8% and 96.8% of residents, respectively. In all the populations examined by researchers’, drug-related problems were observed.

Researchers noted that 81.1% of participants experienced negative drug-drug interactions with 24.7% classified as severe/moderate.

For increasing polypharmacy and anticholinergic risk there was a higher risk of suffering drug-drug interactions.

“A regular evaluation of drug prescribing in nursing home residents is necessary to minimize drug-related problems risk,” concluded study authors.

Reference:
Díez R, Cadenas R, Susperregui J, et al. Drug-related problems and polypharmacy in nursing home residentes: a cross-sectional study. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(7):4313. doi:10.3390/ijerph19074313.