The polypharmacy in elderly in São Paulo – SABE Study – Health, Well-being and aging. / A polifarmácia em idosos no município de São Paulo - Estudo SABE - Saúde, Bem-estar e Envelhecimento

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2007

RESUMO

Introduction: The continuous growth of the elderly population increases the need for further health resources; amongst them is the use of drugs.Object: Study the risks’ Polypharmacy in the population of elderly people within the city of São Paulo, Brasil. Method: This study is part of the ‘SABE’ project – Health, Well-being and aging. This survey is carried out by using a sample questionnaire in the residence of 2143 people aged 60 and over. The final data are pondered and expanded to represent the population of elderly people in the year 2000. In order to analyze, polypharmacy was defined as four or more drugs, using the study of stepwise logistical regression (IC95%). Results: The average number of drug stays at 2,72, with a prevalence of polyfarmacy of 31,5%. Polyfarmacy is more prevalent amongst women aged 75 and over (52,1%); spiritualists (51,2%); those who claim poor self perceived health status (40,2%); those whose level of education is at least 12 years (46,9%). It has been observed that 71,1% use their own money to buy drugs; 15,9% practice self-medication; the cost of treatment being the cause of nonadherence (9,1%). Women are more at risk (OR 2,2), aged 75 and over (OR 1,5), visit to the physician and hospitalization within four months(OR from 1,9 to 3,8), cardiovascular conditions (OR 3,8). As for inappropriate use of medications, the prevalence is 15,6%. Conclusion: The identified risks in polypharmacy show a need for public policies that would promote a more rational use of medications.

ASSUNTO(S)

drug pharmacoepidemiology elderly uso impróprio de medicamento idoso population-based survey farmacoepidemiologia inappropriate medication medicamento inquérito populacional

ACESSO AO ARTIGO

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