Evolution of polypharmacy in a spanish population (2005-2015): A database study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Geriatric Medicine

Background:

• Polypharmacy, the concurrent use of multiple medications, is a growing concern, especially among aging populations.
• Identifying trends in polypharmacy is crucial for healthcare planning and patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the temporal trends in polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy prevalence in the Spanish population between 2005 and 2015.
• To improve the identification of patients experiencing polypharmacy.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study utilizing annual data from a primary care database (BIFAP) in Spain.
• Analysis of prescription data for individuals aged 14 and older from 2005 to 2015.
• Trend analysis of polypharmacy (≥5 drugs) and excessive polypharmacy (≥10 drugs) by sex and age groups.

Main Results:

• Polypharmacy prevalence significantly increased from 2.5% in 2005 to 8.9% in 2015 (P<0.001).
• Excessive polypharmacy prevalence rose significantly from 0.1% to 1% (P<0.001) during the same period.
• Both conditions were more prevalent in females and individuals aged 80 and older, with a decrease in patients on no chronic treatment.

Conclusions:

• Polypharmacy prevalence tripled, and excessive polypharmacy increased tenfold in the Spanish population from 2005-2015.
• These increases were observed across all age groups and sexes, with a pronounced rise in the elderly population.
• The findings highlight a significant shift towards increased medication use, necessitating targeted interventions.