ABSTRACT
Objective:
to identify the prevalence and associations of polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication use among older adults with hypertension treated in primary care.
Methods:
a cross-sectional study carried out with older adults with hypertension treated at a Family Health Strategy unit. Data collection included analysis of medical records, interviews and multidimensional assessment of older adults. Socio-demographic information and clinical variables were collected. Statistical analysis was performed by multiple logistic regression.
Results:
polypharmacy prevalence was 38.09%, and potentially inappropriate medication (PIM), 28.57%. There was a significant association between polypharmacy and PIM use, altered sleep and ethnicity. PIM use was associated with polypharmacy, worse family functioning, and absence of a caregiver. Cognitive decline reduces the prevalence of these medications.
Conclusions:
polypharmacy and PIM use among older adults with hypertension represent a problem in this population, especially among the most vulnerable.
Descriptors:
Hypertension; Aged; Polypharmacy; Potentially Inappropriate Medication List; Primary Care