A Prospective Observational Study on Polypharmacy in Geriatrics at a Tertiary Care Hospital, Erode

Objectives: The aim of this research is to investigate the prevalence, different factors and consequences associated with polypharmacy in geriatrics. Methods: It was a prospective observational study. The study was conducted in in-patient department of a tertiary care hospital, Erode. A total of 350 patients with age group of 65 years and above were randomly selected. Each prescription of the patients were assessed and checked for any consequences of polypharmacy. Polypharmacy were recorded and also patient interview was taken to assess drug related problems due to poly pharmacy. The information recorded included the demographic details of the patients, comorbid illnesses, details about medications being, the total number of drugs being used, and the factors associated with polypharmacy. Results: A total of 350 patients were recruited for this study, out of this 230 were males (65.71%) and 120 were females (34.28%). Among the 350 patients, 330 patients were on polypharmacy (94.2%). Among 330 patients, 143 patients had their hospital stay ≤1week (43.33%), 117 patients with ≤2week (35.45%), 51 patients with ≤3week (15.45%) and 19 patients with ≥3weeks (5.75%). Majority of the study population had at least one drug related problems. Conclusion: The prevalence of polypharmacy is very high among geriatric population in the study site. The study supported the consequences of polypharmacy and was closely associated with multiple comorbidity and advanced age. A close and intensive monitoring of geriatrics in regard with polypharmacy could restrain the consequences. Clinical pharmacist could play crucial role in handling this crisis efficiently, by performing regular medication chart reviews, providing information and patient counselling regarding drug safety and polypharmacy.