Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 17, 2025
A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment
Published on: January 11, 2020
Prevalence of Polypharmacy in Elderly Population Worldwide: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Zeyu Wang1, Tangyi Liu1, Qiaoyu Su1,2
1Department of Gastroenterology, State Key Laboratory of Holistic Integrative Management of Gastrointestinal Cancers and National Clinical Research Center for Digestive Diseases, Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University Xian, Xi'An, Shaanxi, China.
Background:
Polypharmacy (PP) is common in elderly population and associated with some adverse clinical outcomes and increases healthcare burdens. We performed this systemic review and meta-analysis to estimate worldwide prevalence of PP and explore associated factors in the elderly.
Methods:
The PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Ovid EMBASE databases were searched for studies published until May 30, 2022. We included observational studies representative of general patients aged ≥60 in which PP was defined as multiple drugs ≥5. Studies were excluded if only a particular group of the elderly population (e.g., with diabetes) were included. The primary outcome was the prevalence of PP. Random-effect models were employed to estimate the overall or variable-specific pooled estimates of PP. Secondary outcomes were hyperpolypharmacy (HPP, defined as multiple drugs ≥10) and PP prevalence based on different study years, genders, locations, populations, and so forth.
Results:
We included 122 original observational studies with an overall population of 57 328 043 individuals in the meta-analysis. The overall prevalence of PP and HPP in the elderly population worldwide was 39.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 35.5%-42.7%) and 13.3% (95% CI, 10.4%-16.5%), respectively. The prevalence of PP in Europe, Oceania, North America, Asia, and South America was 45.8% (95% CI, 41.5%-50.2%), 45.5% (95% CI, 26.7%-64.3%), 40.8% (95% CI, 29.8%-51.6%), 29.0% (95% CI, 20.0%-38.0%), and 28.4% (95% CI, 24.0%-32.8%), respectively (p < 0.01). Multivariate meta-regressions showed geographical regions of Europe or North America, age ≥70, and residence from nursing homes were independently associated with higher PP prevalence.
Conclusions:
Nearly 40% of the elderly population is exposed to PP. The prevalence of PP is significantly higher in elderly individuals aged 70 or older, in developed regions and in nursing homes. It is important to focus on avoiding inappropriate PP in this population to address the growing burden of PP.
More Related Videos
14:39Semi-Targeted Ultra-High-Performance Chromatography Coupled to Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Phenolic Metabolites in Plasma of Elderly Adults
Published on: April 22, 2022
06:52Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit
Published on: September 30, 2020
Related Concept Videos
01:21Factors Affecting Drug Response: Overview
01:02Prescription, Nonprescription and Orphan Drugs
The misuse and addiction to prescription drugs is a growing problem that can affect people of all age groups, specifically teenagers. This can happen when prescription medications are used in ways not intended by the prescriber, such as taking someone else's prescription or using medication for...
01:23Nonlinear Pharmacokinetics: Dependence of Elimination Half-Life and Dose Clearance
A study on guinea pigs examined the...
01:28Drug Therapy
Antianxiety Medications
01:12Analysis of Population Pharmacokinetic Data
01:19Pharmacovigilance
This process, termed pharmacovigilance, aims to detect, evaluate, and minimize harmful effects related to medication use. The data collection for pharmacovigilance depends on spontaneous reporting systems, where healthcare professionals or patients voluntarily report suspected ADRs.
In some cases, there...