Exploring Polypharmacy and Drug Interactions in Geriatric Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study from India

Abstract

Background Polypharmacy and potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs) present challenges in managing elderly individuals with multiple comorbidities. Understanding their prevalence and associated factors is vital for enhancing medication safety and therapeutic outcomes. Objective This study aimed to assess the prevalence of polypharmacy and pDDIs among elderly individuals aged 60 years and above at Yenepoya Medical College and Hospital. Methods A prospective observational study was conducted at the hospital's in-patient and out-patient wards following ethics committee approval. Patient records were reviewed, and prescriptions were screened for pDDIs using Medscape and UpToDate. SPSS 26.0 analyzed data to identify polypharmacy patterns and characterize pDDIs. Results Predominantly older adults participated (mean age approximately 70.25 years), with notable polypharmacy prevalence, especially among in-patients. Gender disparities were evident, with females receiving more medications on average (p = 0.036). Moderate (50%) interactions were most common among various severity levels. Age correlated positively (r = 0.897) with prescribed medications, but age categories showed no significant association with drug interactions (p > 0.05). However, a significant relationship existed between prescribed medication quantity and drug interaction prevalence (p = 4.77e-05). Conclusion The study highlights the prevalence of polypharmacy and potential drug-drug interactions among elderly individuals, emphasizing the challenges in medication management. We found a significant prevalence of polypharmacy, particularly in older adults with complex health conditions, and observed a pervasive nature of moderate drug interactions.