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Multi-drug therapy in chronic condition multimorbidity: a systematic review
Lucy Doos1, Eyitope O Roberts2, Nadia Corp3
1NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre, Department of Public Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK, l.doos@bham.ac.uk.
Family Practice
|September 7, 2014
Summary
Research on multimorbidity and multi-drug therapy is limited. Few studies explore specific combinations, particularly in older adults, highlighting a need for more investigation into drug prescribing patterns.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Pharmacology
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Older adults frequently experience multimorbidity, leading to complex medication regimens.
- Current guidelines often address single conditions, not the interplay of multiple diseases and drug therapies.
- The association between specific multimorbidity patterns and multi-drug therapy is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review existing evidence on multi-drug prescribing patterns in family practice.
- To identify research gaps concerning multimorbidity and polypharmacy.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of literature from 1960-2013.
- Searched databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, AMED, and HMIC.
- Focused on studies examining combinations of at least two of six common chronic conditions: diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, COPD, osteoarthritis, and depression.
Main Results:
- Eleven articles met the inclusion criteria.
- Very few studies specifically investigated the link between multimorbidity and multi-drug therapy.
- Most studies focused on comorbid depression, with fewer examining other multimorbidity combinations like heart failure, COPD, and diabetes.
Conclusions:
- There is a significant lack of research on the relationship between specific multimorbidity and multi-drug therapy.
- Current research predominantly focuses on depression outcomes in patients with chronic diseases.
- Prioritizing research in this area is crucial for optimizing medication management in older populations with multiple conditions.
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