Polypharmacy and pharmacological adherence in adults at “Louis Pasteur” Teaching Polyclinic

Abstract

Introduction: polypharmacy constitutes a phenomenon with significant consequences, therefore the importance of recognizing its risk factors. Objective: to determine the factors associated with polypharmacy and its impact on therapeutic adherence in adults. Methods: observational, analytical and cross-sectional study in patients from Number 10 Family Doctor’s Office at “Louis Pasteur” Teaching Polyclinic, between January and March 2021. The population comprised 222 patients, and the sample included 106 patients chosen by simple random sampling. Descriptive and inferential statistics was applied. Results: predominance of patients from 70 years old or older (42,27 %) and average poly-medication (42,27 %). Self-medication was found in 77,4 % of patients. A total of 58,49 % of the population attended two or more inter-consultations and 33,01 % presented adverse drug reactions. Hypertension (77,32 %) and diabetes (27,84 %) predominated as comorbidities. Adherence was higher in ocular diseases and lower in oncologic diseases (100 %). An association was identified between major polypharmacy and unemployment (OR:3,37; CI:1,05-10,74; p=0,033), two or more comorbidities (OR:1,52; CI:1,28-1,8; p<0,01), adverse reactions (OR:5,17; CI:1,96-13,6; p<0,01), and two or more inter-consultations (OR:25,36; CI:3,27-196,68; p<0,01). Conclusions: polypharmacy was frequent mainly in older adults with hypertension and diabetes mellitus as underlying diseases. Unemployment, the presence of two or more comorbidities, two or more inter-consultations and the occurrence of adverse reactions favored polypharmacy.

Keywords

• polifarmacia
• combinación de medicamentos
• cumplimiento de la medicación
• cumplimiento y adherencia al tratamiento
• anciano.