Polypharmacy in the health of the elderly: integrative literature review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v11i8.30968Keywords:
Polypharmacy; Elderly; Medications; Multimorbidities.Abstract
Introduction: In the elderly with multimorbidities, the use of polydrug therapy has shown to be a very relevant complication. The elderly who use an average of five drugs may increase the risk of malnutrition, pneumonia, hypoglycemia, reduced mobility, fractures, hospitalizations in general and hospitalizations with long term stay. Objective: To present scientific evidence available to date that shows an association between the use of several drugs and worsening health in the elderly with chronic diseases. Methodology: This is a literature review, conducted in the months of March and April 2022, in the following databases: National Library of Medicine (PubMed MEDLINE), Scientific Electronic Library Online (Scielo), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR), Google Scholar, Virtual Health Library (VHL) and EBSCO Information Services. Results and discussions: Polymedication has become a habit and a growing challenge in clinical experience, affecting the elderly because they are more susceptible to chronic diseases. Among the diseases found, the most common were: cancer, neuropsychiatric diseases, diabetes mellitus, renal failure, and cardiovascular diseases. Besides advanced age, there are other influential factors in this problem, such as easy access to medication and lack of information. Final considerations: Although the natural aging process brings vulnerabilities to the health of the elderly, the prescription of drugs with harmful effects when used simultaneously, drug iatrogenesis, also generates adverse reactions. However, this can be avoided, based on the dissemination of studies on senescence and senility and responsible use of drugs.
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Copyright (c) 2022 Nayara Francielle de Castro; Bárbara Queiroz de Figueiredo; Gabrielly Gonçalves Vieira; Júlia Fernandes Nogueira; Laura Rodrigues Lima; Lucas Goulart de Queiroz; Vanessa Pereira Tolentino
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