Multiple drug use in elderly in primary care: An example of rural field

Abstract

Objective: It can be said that the risk of polypharmacy and inappropriate drug use is high in primary care and this situation is often seen in elderly patients. Our aim is determining multiple drug use in elderly and determination of the prevention to be taken according to the results of the study.

Methods: The study is a cross-sectional descriptive type and the research population covers patients aged 65 years and older who applied to the Family Medicine Polyclinic of Karaman Sarıveliler District Integrated Hospital between 15 November 2013 and 15 February 2014. A total of 310 patients aged 65 years and over included in the study. They have received oral informed consent and. 10 patients who had missing information in the survey form were excluded from the study.

Results: A total of 300 patients, 169 female (56.3%) and 131 male (43.7%) were included in the study. The mean age of the patients was 73.05±6.20. 58.3% (n=174) patients were using four or over drugs. The most commonly used medication group is the cardiovascular system drugs with 72.7% (n=218). Sociodemographic characteristics were compared with the number of drugs and there was a significant difference between the sexes (p=0.040). It is observed that women use more drugs than men.

Conclusion: Family physicians responsible for primary care need to be careful about the use of multiple drugs and especially those the drugs that may interact each other while evaluating their patients.