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Updated: Dec 30, 2025
09:41
Comprehensive Autopsy Program for Individuals with Multiple Sclerosis
Published on: July 19, 2019
11.9K
Polypharmacy among patients with multiple sclerosis: a qualitative systematic review
Niklas Frahm1, Michael Hecker1, Uwe Klaus Zettl1
1Neuroimmunology Section, Department of Neurology, University Medicine Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
Expert Opinion on Drug Safety
|January 23, 2020
Summary
Polypharmacy, the use of five or more medications, is common in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and linked to worse health outcomes. Further research is needed to manage medication effectively for these individuals.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Clinical Pharmacy
Background:
- Polypharmacy (≥ 5 drugs) presents risks like interactions and side effects.
- Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), a common neuroimmunological disease, are at risk for polypharmacy.
- Understanding polypharmacy in MS is crucial for patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the frequency and predictors of polypharmacy in multiple sclerosis patients.
- To provide an overview of the current research status on polypharmacy in MS.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus.
- Adherence to PRISMA guidelines for study selection.
- Inclusion of English and German original research articles.
Main Results:
- Seven studies met the inclusion criteria, exhibiting diverse research objectives and methodologies.
- Polypharmacy rates in MS patients varied significantly, ranging from 15% to 59%.
- Polypharmacy was associated with increased comorbidities, disability, cognitive deficits, hospitalization, relapse rates, and reduced quality of life.
Conclusions:
- Polypharmacy is prevalent in multiple sclerosis patients and strongly correlated with adverse health outcomes.
- There is a significant need for further research, particularly on longitudinal drug use patterns in MS.
- Enhanced collaboration between physicians and pharmacists is essential for optimizing medication management and therapeutic results in MS patients.
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