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Polypharmacy among older Australians, 2006-2017: a population-based study.
Amy T Page1,2,3, Michael O Falster4, Melisa Litchfield4
1Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC.
The Medical Journal of Australia
|June 21, 2019
Summary
Polypharmacy affects over 935,000 older Australians, with rates increasing over time. This highlights the need to review medication use in the elderly population to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- Polypharmacy, defined as the regular use of multiple medications, is a growing concern in aging populations worldwide.
- Older adults are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of polypharmacy, including drug interactions, reduced adherence, and increased healthcare costs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the prevalence of continuous polypharmacy among Australians aged 70 years and older between 2006 and 2017.
- To analyze trends in polypharmacy prevalence and the number of individuals affected over this period.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a 10% random sample of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) data.
- Inclusion of individuals aged 70 years and older who were dispensed PBS-listed medicines from January 2006 to December 2017.
- Definition of continuous polypharmacy as dispensing five or more unique medicines during specific periods within a calendar year.
Main Results:
- In 2017, 36.1% of older Australians (an estimated 935,240 people) experienced continuous polypharmacy.
- Polypharmacy rates were higher in women (36.6%) than men (35.4%) and peaked in the 85-89 age group (46.0%).
- Between 2006 and 2017, polypharmacy prevalence among concessional beneficiaries increased by 9%, while the number affected rose by 52%.
Conclusions:
- Polypharmacy is highly prevalent among older Australians, affecting nearly one million individuals, with numbers projected to rise.
- Current estimates may be conservative, excluding over-the-counter and private prescriptions.
- While polypharmacy can be appropriate, its potential harms necessitate medication review and rationalization, especially in the elderly.
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