Polypharmacy, automedication, and the use of potentially inappropriate medications: cause of intoxications in the elderly

Abstract

Introduction: It is a fact that the elderly comprise an exponentially growing age group in Brazil. Inevitably, the high demand of most of this population for medicines and health services impacts public health policies in terms of the effort required to ensure the rational use of medicines, avoid iatrogenesis and improve the quality of life of the elderly. Potentially inappropriate drugs are those that should be avoided in the elderly, where the risk of adverse events outweighs the benefit. Methods: The study, of descriptive and retrospective nature and based on the research and analysis of secondary health data, aimed to broaden knowledge about the impact of the use of medicines by the elderly population, by collecting information on intoxications due to the use of medicines available on the DATASUS (departamento de informática do Sistema Único de Saúde) website. Results: In about ten years related to the studied period, from 2010 to 2020, there were 2,946 hospitalizations of the elderly caused by pharmacological intoxications, being relevant in number of cases the classes of anticonvulsants, sedatives, hypnotics, and antiparkinsonian drugs. The region with the highest number of cases was the Southeast. There are significant differences in the probability of intoxication in the elderly, being greater in cases of exposure to alcohol, analgesic, antipyretic and anti-rheumatic drugs and drugs with action on the central nervous system. Conclusion: The results found show a growing trend of problems associated with the use of medicines by the elderly, making clear the importance of effective pharmacovigilance strategies aimed at the health of this population.

Keywords

• self-medication
• iatrogenic disease
• elderly
• polymedication
• longevity