Drug use among functionally active, aged, ambulatory people.
METHODS
Only a few pharmacoepidemiology studies have included very old subjects and most studies included both healthy and very ill people. Interpretation of data from these investigations is limited because of the mix of health status in the populations studied. We examined drug use in a group of active, relatively healthy, older people. Sixty-one attendees at a national convention, aged 76-96 years, volunteered to participate in a study on health status in a very old, ambulatory population. Medication histories, selected blood biochemistry analyses, a mental status examination, and other data were collected.


RESULTS
The mean number of prescription and nonprescription drugs used per person was 2.02 and 1.85, respectively. More than a quarter of the sample population took no prescription medications and two-thirds used two or fewer prescription drugs. Sixteen percent of those taking prescription medications experienced adverse effects from their current drug regimens. Although falling was prevalent among our study subjects, there were similar drug-use patterns in those who did and who did not fall.


CONCLUSIONS
In a group of relatively healthy and functional very old people, we found that drug use was not excessive, although adverse effects were still prevalent. In addition, most subjects were knowledgeable about their medications. These studies demonstrate that extreme age alone does not always result in sickness, frailty, and overuse of medications.
Delafuente
J C
JC
Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville.
Meuleman
J R
JR
Conlin
M
M
Hoffman
N B
NB
Lowenthal
D T
DT
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012651:Self Medication / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
D004366:Nonprescription Drugs