Analysis of oral dietary supplement use in rural older adults

Abstract

Aims and objectives To describe and explore characteristics associated with oral dietary supplement use and identify potential interactions with prescription medications in a sample of rural community‐dwelling older adults. Background Older adults use polypharmacy to help manage chronic diseases. Due to healthcare access disparities, rural older adults may consider dietary supplement use as an alternative approach to maintain health and manage disease. Oral dietary supplement use is expected to increase among ageing adults; placing them at risk for potential interactions and adverse events. Design A secondary analysis was conducted on oral dietary supplement, medication and health characteristic data collected on N = 138 participants. The original study was adherent to STROBE guidelines. Results Researchers found that 83% of the rural older adults used oral dietary supplements in addition to their prescribed medications. Participants took additional single‐dose vitamins along with their multivitamin; 57% took vitamin D, 52% took calcium, 15% took vitamin C and 13% took additional potassium and vitamin E. Participants also used oral dietary supplements with medications that had a potential for interaction. Conclusions Compared with national samples of older adults, a high percentage of rural older adults used oral dietary supplements in addition to their prescribed medications. In the rural setting, older adults are at risk for potential drug–oral dietary supplement interactions. Relevance to clinical practice Nurses can conduct vigilant medication reconciliation that includes documenting characteristics of oral dietary supplement use. Nurses can assist with providing appropriate dietary supplements education that promotes patient knowledge and prevent inappropriate use; particularly when caring for older adults from rural settings.

Prevalence, patterns, and attitude regarding dietary supplement use in Saudi Arabia: Data from 2019

“…This information is alarming because the Saudi population may be unaware of the adverse effects of dietary supplement overuse. This finding was reported in different populations [17][18][19].…”

“…National data from the United States and Australia showed that the prevalence of dietary supplement use in adults was approximately 50% in 2011 and 23.5% in 2014-2015, respectively [15,16]. Other studies showed higher prevalences in countries such as Denmark, where the prevalence was 71%, and in the United States [3,[6][7][8][9][10]17]. Compared with the prevalence in Arab countries, that among students in Jordan and UAE was 27% and 39%, respectively [4,5].…”

Prevalence, attitudes, and practices of dietary supplements among middle-aged and older adults in Asir region, Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study

“…Most participants in the current study reported that they consume DS to "maintain good health" or to "ensure adequate nutrition" for a statistically significantly higher proportion of older rather than middle-aged adults. These results are congruent with the findings of similar studies [ 1 , 2 , 20 , 24 , 25 , 31 ]. Although the use of DS has been linked to adverse reactions, most users worldwide claim that DS cause no harm [ 24 , 32 ].…”

Nutrition education with or without oral nutrition supplements has contrasting effects on nutrition status in older adults: A randomized controlled study

“…The study developed by Marcia et al showed that the multicomponent nutrition telemonitoring intervention can improve nutrition status in older adults at risk of undernutrition and improve diet quality and physical activity levels of community‐dwelling older adults. 21 ONSs were found to improve subjective assessments of health‐related QoL in these malnourished older adults. 22 In the United Kingdom, ONSs are mainly administered as part of primary healthcare.…”

“…Older adults in the community are often unaware that they have malnutrition, making it difficult for general practitioners to improve malnutrition. The study developed by Marcia et al showed that the multicomponent nutrition telemonitoring intervention can improve nutrition status in older adults at risk of undernutrition and improve diet quality and physical activity levels of community‐dwelling older adults 21 . ONSs were found to improve subjective assessments of health‐related QoL in these malnourished older adults 22 .…”