Prevalência de polifarmácia na população idosa: uma investigação epidemiológica na atenção primária de saúde

Abstract

Describe the prevalence of polypharmacy and verify its distribution according to sociodemographic characteristics, health and life habits. Cross-sectional research conducted in Passo Fundo/RS, between May and August 2019, with adults and elderly users of the urban primary health care network. Data were collected through the application of questionnaires in the health units twice typed and validated. The analysis included descriptive statistics, prevalence of polyfacarcia (95 CI) and verification of its distribution according to the independent variables (qui-qudrado 5%). The sample consisted of 1,443 participants. The overall prevalence of polypharmacy was 15% (CI95 13-17), 8% (CI95 06-10) among adults and 33% (CI95 28-37) among the elderly. Considering the total sample, a difference in the occurrence of polypharmacy according to age group, paid activity, nutritional status, alcohol consumption, self-perceived health, self-reported medical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, systemic arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, heart disease and thyroid disease was observed. The data obtained with the study corroborate those found in the literature consulted, evidencing the high prevalence of polypharmacy. This reality should not be overlooked due to its great iatrogenic potential. Special attention should be paid to the elderly population and affected by multiple comorbidities due to the strong association between these factors and polypharmacy. The impact caused by polypharmacy on patient care should be focused. Drug interactions, unexpected adverse effects, poor treatment adhering are some of the main problems encountered in this situation, which may interfere in quality of life and treatment effectiveness.