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A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment
Published on: January 11, 2020
Polypharmacy and decreased cognitive abilities in elderly patients
Alma Alic1, Nurka Pranjic, Enisa Ramic
1Educational Center of Family Medicine, Primary Health Care Center Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. dralic@yahoo.com
Medicinski Arhiv
|May 19, 2011
Summary
Polypharmacy, the use of multiple medications, significantly impacts cognitive decline in individuals over 65. This study found nearly half of elderly participants experienced this effect, highlighting a critical public health concern.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Clinical Pharmacy
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Polypharmacy is a growing concern among the elderly population.
- The concurrent use of multiple medications can lead to adverse drug events and impact health outcomes.
- Cognitive decline is a significant issue in aging populations, and its relationship with polypharmacy requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of polypharmacy in adults aged 65 and older.
- To assess the association between polypharmacy and cognitive decline in this demographic.
- To identify common drug classes involved in polypharmacy among the elderly.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study involving 54 randomly selected individuals over 65.
- Polypharmacy defined as the concurrent use of 3 or more medications.
- Cognitive function assessed using a "short portable mental status questionnaire".
Main Results:
- The prevalence of polypharmacy was found to be 48.1% in the study group.
- Commonly used medications included those for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and inflammation, as well as long-acting benzodiazepines and antihistamines.
- A significant proportion of participants (33.3%) lived alone, potentially lacking adequate supervision.
- Polypharmacy was associated with cognitive decline in 23 out of 54 tested patients.
Conclusions:
- Polypharmacy is highly prevalent in the elderly population.
- There is a notable association between polypharmacy and cognitive decline in older adults.
- Further research is warranted to explore this relationship and develop interventions.
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