Use of medications and polypharmacy are increasing among the elderly.
To assess changes in medicine use and polypharmacy, two cross-sectional surveys were carried out among community-dwelling persons aged 64 years or over in 1990-91 (n = 1,131) and 1998-99 (n = 1,197) in the municipality of Lieto in southwestern Finland. In addition to drug use, the questionnaire included items on social background, quality of life, and home nursing services. Among those surveyed, 78% in 1990-1991 and 88% in 1998-1999 (P =.001) used prescription drugs during 7 days prior to the interview. The most commonly used medications were for the cardiovascular and central nervous systems. The number of medications per person increased from 3.1 (SD 2.8) to 3.8 (SD 3.1) (P =.0001), and polypharmacy (concominant use of over five medications) increased from 19 to 25% (P =.006). These changes were most prominent among persons aged 85 years or over, especially among women. Polypharmacy is a complex and worrying phenomenon that merits more research.
Linjakumpu
Tarja
T
University of Oulu, Department of Psychiatry, P.O. Box 5000, Peltolantie 5, Finland. tarja.linjakumpu@oulu.fi
Hartikainen
Sirpa
S
Klaukka
Timo
T
Veijola
Juha
J
Kivelä
Sirkka-Liisa
SL
Isoaho
Raimo
R
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019338:Polypharmacy; D015995:Prevalence; D012651:Self Medication / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants