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To Study the Level, Pattern and the Risk Factors of Polypharmacy among Elderly Admitted in a Tertiary Care Centre

Rajesh Gupta, Lecturer, Department of Medicine, Government Medical College, Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir 180001, India , Rajesh Gupta1 , Sanjay Sharma2 , Puneeta Gupta3 , Shoiab Yousuf4

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Indian Journal of Emergency Medicine 4(1):p 11-19, January - March 2018. | DOI: DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijem.2395.311X.4118.2

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Abstract

Background: The proportion of older adults exposed to polypharmacy defined as use of multiple medications, is rapidly increasing in the last two decades. There are many negative medical consequences associated with polypharmacy apart from greater health care costs. Studies in developed world have revealed that people aged 65-69 years fill an average of 14 prescriptions per year and adults aged 80-84 years, and average of 18 prescriptions per year. The reduced homeostatic ability as people age, given changes in pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and physiological reserve affects different regulatory systems in elderly subjects. Aim and Objective: The aim of the present study was to explore level and pattern and; the risk factors of polypharmacy among elderly admitted and discharged in Department of Medicine, Government Medical College, Jammu. Materials and Methods: The prospective study was carried out in the departments of general medicine, in government medical college hospital Jammu. A total of 650 patients who were admitted in the medicine ward of the hospital during this period were studied, out of which 100 patients aged 65 or more were included in the study. Conclusion: Our study suggests that current practice in our hospital is associated with greater polypharmacy and inappropriate medication use. A regular medication chart review particularly in the elderly, by the clinical pharmacist to discontinue unnecessary medication will reduce the polypharmacy and inappropriate medication use.

Keywords: Polypharmacy; Adverse Drug Events; Aging; Geriatrics; Internal Medicine; Multimorbidity.

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DOI: DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijem.2395.311X.4118.2

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