Associations of Polypharmacy With Clinical Parameters, Function, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Psoriatic...

The aim of this study was to assess predictors of polypharmacy and its effect on health-related quality of life in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

This cross-sectional study was performed between February and December 2019. The number of medications was grouped into minor (2-4) and major (≥5) polypharmacy. Functional status and quality of life were assessed using the Health Assessment Questionnaire and Short-Form 36, respectively. Clinical and demographic characteristics, physical function, and quality of life of the polypharmacy group were compared. Predictive factors for major polypharmacy were evaluated using a logistic regression analysis.

The mean age of the 100 patients (70 females and 30 males) with PsA was 48.43 ± 12.94 years. The proportion of patients with major polypharmacy was 19%. The physical function subscale of Short-Form 36 was lower in the major polypharmacy group ( p = 0.009). Univariable analysis revealed that sex, body mass index, disease duration, disease activity, psoriasis severity, dactylitis, enthesitis, PsA subtypes, smoking, and Health Assessment Questionnaire were not associated with major polypharmacy ( p > 0.10). In the multivariable model, the number of comorbidities (odds ratio, 3.151; 95% confidence interval, 1.828-5.429; p < 0.001) and age ≥60 years (odds ratio, 4.864; 95% confidence interval, 1.159-20.418; p = 0.031) were significantly associated with major polypharmacy.

The number of comorbid diseases and age ≥60 years were the factors associated with major polypharmacy in patients with PsA. Although physical function was not associated with polypharmacy, patients with major polypharmacy had poorer quality of life.