title: Polypharmacy in the elderly.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective was to assess the frequency of polypharmacy and potential complications among local seniors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional convenience sample of 59 adults aged above 65 years was interviewed at Cuyahoga county (U.S. state of Ohio) senior programs. Polypharmacy was defined as more than five prescribed medications. Primary outcomes were frequent missed doses, one or more duplicate drug/s, and equal or more than one contraindicated drug combinations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among seniors with the mean age of 76.9 years (25.4% male), 40.6% used multiple pharmacies and 35.6% had polypharmacy. Of all seniors with polypharmacy, about 57% had contraindicated drug combinations. Polypharmacy was associated with duplication (P = 0.02), but not frequent missed doses (P = 0.20).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As shown by this study, polypharmacy was associated with duplicated therapy and contraindicated drug combinations. Improved communications among seniors, physicians, and pharmacists is necessary to minimize adverse consequences of polypharmacy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle Washington, USA.
authors.forename: Negar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Golchin
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Scott H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Frank
authors.affiliation: Cuyahoga County Board of Health, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: April
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vince
authors.affiliation: Cuyahoga County Board of Health, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Isham
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA ; Department of Pediatrics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: Sharon B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Meropol
keywords: Elderly; drug adherence; polypharmacy