[RATIONAL COMBINATION OF MEDICATIONS FOR THE TREATMENT OF VASCULAR PATHOLOGY IN GERIATRICS]

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Clinical Pharmacology
• Cardiovascular Medicine

Context:

• Elderly patients with multiple vascular conditions (hypertension, coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis) often receive complex medication regimens.
• Polypharmacy (concurrent use of 4-6+ medications) is prevalent in this demographic.
• Drug interactions (Type A reactions) pose a significant risk in managing chronic vascular diseases.

Purpose:

• To retrospectively analyze drug combinations used for long-term treatment of comorbid vascular pathology in elderly women.
• To evaluate the probability and characteristics of drug interactions within prescribed medication combinations.
• To identify optimal and safer drug combinations for managing vascular co-morbidity in the elderly.

Summary:

• Retrospective analysis of medication regimens in elderly women (mean age 73) with arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease, and vascular atherosclerosis.
• Identified polypharmacy (56.7% on 4-5 drugs, 43.3% on 6+ drugs) as a key characteristic.
• Examined drug interactions (Type A reactions) against national and WHO classifications, distinguishing nine common combinations.

Impact:

• Highlights the significant issue of polypharmacy in elderly patients with vascular co-morbidity.
• Provides insights into drug interaction risks associated with common medication combinations.
• Aims to inform the development of safer, evidence-based pharmacotherapy strategies for this vulnerable population.