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High-throughput Identification of Synergistic Drug Combinations by the Overlap2 Method
Published on: May 21, 2018
Association between Charlson Comorbidity Index and polypharmacy: a retrospective database study from Jordan
Rasha M Arabyat1, Ola M Alazzam2, Sayer I Al-Azzam2
1Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan.
The International Journal of Pharmacy Practice
|October 15, 2021
Summary
Polypharmacy is common in Jordan, affecting 38% of older adults. High comorbidity significantly increases the risk of using multiple medications, impacting patient treatment and quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Clinical Pharmacy
- Public Health
Background:
- Polypharmacy, defined as the use of at least five medications, is a growing concern in older populations.
- It is associated with increased risks of adverse drug reactions, medication errors, and reduced treatment adherence.
- Understanding the factors contributing to polypharmacy is crucial for optimizing patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of polypharmacy among patients aged 55 years and older in Jordan.
- To identify key risk factors associated with polypharmacy, with a particular focus on the role of comorbidity.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective cross-sectional study design was employed, analyzing data from a national electronic healthcare database (2018-2019).
- The study included 113,834 individuals aged 55 years and older.
- Polypharmacy was defined as the concurrent use of five or more medications, and comorbidity was assessed using the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Multivariable logistic regression was used for analysis.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of polypharmacy was 38%, with 28% experiencing major polypharmacy (5-9 medications) and 10.2% excessive polypharmacy (≥10 medications).
- Significant predictors of polypharmacy included a CCI score between 3 and 4 (AOR=5.89), older age (≥75 years, AOR=1.62), and gender (AOR=0.86).
- Approximately 20% of patients had a CCI of 1 or higher.
Conclusions:
- Polypharmacy is highly prevalent among older adults in Jordan.
- Comorbidity is a strong, independent predictor of polypharmacy in this population.
- Identifying high-risk groups for polypharmacy is essential for improving treatment outcomes and patient quality of life.
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