Uso de medicamentos por idosos em região do sul do Brasil

Abstract

ObjectiveTo describe self-reported drug use by the elderly, evaluating the occurrence of polypharmacy and the influence of sociodemographic and health conditions on the use of medications. Methods A cross-sectional study comprising a sample of 215 elderly was carried out in Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil, in 2001 and. Data on the use of medications were collected using questionnaires filled out during home visits. Drugs were classified according to the Anatomical-Therapeutical-Chemical Classification System. Results Of all respondents, 141 (66%) were women, 117 (54%) aged between 60 and 70 years old, 157 (73%) were white, 115 (53%) lived with a partner, and 145 (67%) had some schooling. The prevalence of the use of medications by the elderly was 91% (n=195). In the week previous to the interview, 697 drugs were used, an average of 3.2 drugs per person (SD= 2.5). A total of 187 (87%) subjects had attended at least one medical visit in the last year and 71 (33%) confirmed the use of over-the-counter drugs. Polypharmacy was evidenced in 57 (27%) cases. ConclusionsThere is a pattern of increased drug use by the elderly aged 60 years or more who lives in the study community and slight differences were determined by their health conditions and socioeconomic factors.

Epidemiologia do uso de medicamentos entre idosos em area urbana do Nordeste do Brasil

“…The high prevalence of medication use among the elderly individuals (85.5%) concords with the literature and is within the expected range, with values close to those found in Fortaleza, CE, Northeastern Brazil (80.3%), 6 the South Region (82.0%) 7 and Belo Horizonte, MG, Southeastern Brazil (86.2% 15 and 89.6%). 20 The mean number of medications being taken at the time of the interview was lower than that observed in Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 16 in the South Region 7 and in Belo Horizonte, MG. 15,20 However, it was higher than that found in Fortaleza, 5 the population which is closest to the population of this study, which suggests regional differences in the intensity of medication use.…”

“…5,7,15 Cardiovascular medication were the most commonly used, which agrees with the national epidemiological profi le, e and hypertension was the most commonly self-reported chronic condition.…”

“…This trend of taking larger quantities of medications is consistent with the results of other epidemiological investigations. 5,7,15,20 However, this difference was not refl ected in the occurrence of polypharmacy. Likewise, there was no link between polypharmacy and age group.…”

“…11,18 High blood pressure was the most commonly reported disease, as in the Brazilian epidemiological profile and as seen in other studies. 5,7,11,18 The VI Brazilian Hypertension Guidelines 23 highlight how. In spite of the high prevalence of hypertension, there are low levels of control.…”

“…16,22,b High levels of medication use by the elderly population, in Brazil and worldwide, has been described. 7,9,15,16,20 Biologically, the elderly have less capacity to metabolize medication, they suffer adverse effects more frequently and effi cacy of the treatment is reduced. This is due to a combination of factors: higher prevalence of chronic illness, polypharmacy and, often, malnutrition.…”