title: Time trends in 20 years of medication use in older adults: Findings from three elderly cohorts in Stockholm, Sweden.
abstract: New drugs and expanded drug indications are constantly being introduced. Welfare states strive to provide equity in drug treatment for all of its citizens and todaýs healthcare systems spend financial resources on drugs for the elderly in a higher rate than for any other age group. Drug utilization in elderly persons has an impact in health and wellbeing in older people.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  It was to describe the changes in medication use including people aged 78 years and over regardless of residence and other characteristics over 20 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study population consisted of 4304 participants in three population-based cross-sectional surveys conducted in the Kungsholmen area of central Stockholm, Sweden. The participant's current drug utilization was reviewed by physicians following standardized protocols. Data were statistical analyzed. Logistic regression models was used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for use of analgesics and psychotropic drugs in the cohorts of 2001 and 2007, controlling for age, gender, education and cognition.
  Results shows that the prevalence of medication use and polypharmacy in older adults has increased dramatically the late 1980s to the 2000s in central Stockholm, Sweden. In particular, the use of analgesics increased significantly, while some drug groups decreased, i.e., antipsychotics. Women used more medication than men in all three cohorts. Older adults living in service buildings used the largest amount of drugs in 1987, whereas those living in institutions were the most frequent users in 2001 and 2007.
authors.affiliation: Sophiahemmet University, Aging Research Center (ARC), Karolinska Institutet, Box 5605, SE-114 86 Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: asa.craftman@shh.se.
authors.forename: Åsa Gransjön
authors.initials: ÅG
authors.lastname: Craftman
authors.affiliation: Aging Research Center (ARC), Karolinska Institutet, Gävlegatan 16, SE-113 30 Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: Kristina.Johnell@ki.se.
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Johnell
authors.affiliation: Aging Research Center (ARC), Karolinska Institutet, Gävlegatan 16, SE-113 30 Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: Johan.Fastbom@ki.se.
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fastbom
authors.affiliation: Department of Research, Education, Development and Innovation, Education Center, SÖS. Electronic address: margareta.westerbotn@shh.se.
authors.forename: Margareta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Westerbotn
authors.affiliation: Aging Research Center (ARC), Karolinska Institutet, The Swedish Red Cross University College, Teknikringen 1, SE-114 28 Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: eva.von.strauss@ki.se.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: von Strauss
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D019338:Polypharmacy; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013548:Sweden
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs
keywords: Medication use; Older adults; Polypharmacy; Population-based; Time trends