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Reasons for polypharmacy among psychiatric patients
Réka Viola1, Katalin Csukonyi, Péter Doró
1University of Szeged, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University of Szeged, Szikra u. 8., H-6725 Szeged, Hungary. viola@clph.szote.u-szeged.hu
Pharmacy World & Science : PWS
|July 3, 2004
Summary
Polypharmacy, or the use of multiple medications, affects one-third of psychiatric patients in Hungary. Comorbidity, age, and gender significantly influence this drug use, with comorbidity being the strongest factor.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Psychiatry
- Public Health
Background:
- Polypharmacy is often seen as irrational drug use but can be justified by health conditions.
- Data on polypharmacy in Hungary were previously unavailable.
- Polypharmacy presents risks but can be necessary in specific patient cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of polypharmacy in Hungarian psychiatric patients.
- To investigate the influence of comorbidity and demographic factors on polypharmacy.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of an inpatient psychiatric database from 2001.
- Definition of polypharmacy as more than five chronic, simultaneous medications.
- Statistical analysis using SPSS 9.0.
Main Results:
- Polypharmacy was observed in 33.6% of the 984 psychiatric patients studied.
- Significant correlations were found between polypharmacy and age, gender, and comorbidity.
- Comorbidity emerged as the most significant predictor of polypharmacy.
Conclusions:
- Polypharmacy is not inherently unnecessary drug consumption.
- Adequate polypharmacy is essential for managing certain diseases and conditions.