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1- Student Research Committee, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
2- Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iranian Research Center on Healthy Aging, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran ,khalili894@gmail.com
3- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
4- Medical Toxicology and Drug Abuse Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
5- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
2- Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iranian Research Center on Healthy Aging, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran ,
3- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
4- Medical Toxicology and Drug Abuse Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
5- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
Abstract: (23 Views)
Objective: The growing use of both prescribed and herbal medications among older adults has raised concerns regarding potential adverse health outcomes. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of overt polypharmacy (defined as the concurrent use of five or more physician-prescribed medications) and covert polypharmacy (self-prescribed herbal remedies), and to examine their associations with functional status and quality of life in older adults.
Methods & Materials: In this descriptive-analytical study, 384 older adults attending healthcare centers in Sabzevar, Iran, in 2023 were selected using systematic random sampling. Data were collected using a demographic checklist, the Barthel Index of Activities of Daily Living, and the Older People’s Quality of Life Questionnaire (OPQOL-brief). Statistical analyses were performed in SPSS version 26.0 using linear, multivariate, and logistic regression, with a significance level set at p ≤ 0.05.
Results: Participants had a mean age of 68.7 ± 7.2 years (range: 60–92), and 55.7% were women. The prevalence of overt and covert polypharmacy was 22.9% (n = 88) and 32.0% (n = 123), respectively. The mean overall quality of life score was 48.41, and the mean functional status score was 91.21. Both overt (β = –0.109, p = 0.041) and covert polypharmacy (β = –0.096, p = 0.045) were significantly associated with lower functional status and quality of life, particularly in physical, emotional, and social domains. Logistic regression indicated that number of comorbidities (OR = 5.86; 95% CI: 3.79–9.06), complete financial dependency (OR = 2.74; 95% CI: 1.07–7.02), history of hospitalization (OR = 2.97; 95% CI: 1.42–6.17), and health insurance coverage (OR = 2.72; 95% CI: 1.04–7.09) were significantly associated with overt polypharmacy. In contrast, age (OR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.00–1.10), number of comorbidities (OR = 4.70; 95% CI: 3.24–6.82), female gender (OR = 3.84; 95% CI: 1.65–7.20), and hospitalization history (OR = 2.95; 95% CI: 1.55–5.62) were significant predictors of covert polypharmacy.
Conclusion: Both overt and covert polypharmacy negatively affect functional status and quality of life among older adults. These findings highlight the importance of medication management in the elderly, particularly regarding covert polypharmacy, and underscore the need for targeted health and educational interventions for this population.
Methods & Materials: In this descriptive-analytical study, 384 older adults attending healthcare centers in Sabzevar, Iran, in 2023 were selected using systematic random sampling. Data were collected using a demographic checklist, the Barthel Index of Activities of Daily Living, and the Older People’s Quality of Life Questionnaire (OPQOL-brief). Statistical analyses were performed in SPSS version 26.0 using linear, multivariate, and logistic regression, with a significance level set at p ≤ 0.05.
Results: Participants had a mean age of 68.7 ± 7.2 years (range: 60–92), and 55.7% were women. The prevalence of overt and covert polypharmacy was 22.9% (n = 88) and 32.0% (n = 123), respectively. The mean overall quality of life score was 48.41, and the mean functional status score was 91.21. Both overt (β = –0.109, p = 0.041) and covert polypharmacy (β = –0.096, p = 0.045) were significantly associated with lower functional status and quality of life, particularly in physical, emotional, and social domains. Logistic regression indicated that number of comorbidities (OR = 5.86; 95% CI: 3.79–9.06), complete financial dependency (OR = 2.74; 95% CI: 1.07–7.02), history of hospitalization (OR = 2.97; 95% CI: 1.42–6.17), and health insurance coverage (OR = 2.72; 95% CI: 1.04–7.09) were significantly associated with overt polypharmacy. In contrast, age (OR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.00–1.10), number of comorbidities (OR = 4.70; 95% CI: 3.24–6.82), female gender (OR = 3.84; 95% CI: 1.65–7.20), and hospitalization history (OR = 2.95; 95% CI: 1.55–5.62) were significant predictors of covert polypharmacy.
Conclusion: Both overt and covert polypharmacy negatively affect functional status and quality of life among older adults. These findings highlight the importance of medication management in the elderly, particularly regarding covert polypharmacy, and underscore the need for targeted health and educational interventions for this population.
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