Patients using ≥10 medications had a 2.3-fold higher prevalence of clinically significant category D drug interactions (57.9% vs. 24.6%, p=0.002) compared to those using 5-9 medications.
Observational (n=259)
No
Does multipolypharmacy (≥10 drugs) compared to polypharmacy (5-9 drugs) increase the prevalence of severe drug-drug interactions and adverse clinical parameters in geriatric patients?
In geriatric patients, multipolypharmacy (≥10 medications) is associated with a significantly higher risk of severe drug-drug interactions and worse renal function compared to standard polypharmacy (5-9 medications).
Effect estimate: Relative increase 2.3-fold higher prevalence of category D interactions in multipolypharmacy group compared to polypharmacy group
Absolute Event Rate: 57.9% vs 24.6%
p-value: p=0.002
Aims: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of drug-drug interactions (DDIs) and their clinical outcomes in patients aged 65 years and above with polypharmacy attending internal medicine outpatient clinics. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients aged 65 and over who visited the Internal Medicine Outpatient Clinic at Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Medical Center between June 1, 2024, and February 1, 2025. Patients using ≥5 medications for chronic diseases (excluding those with active malignancy or on routine hemodialysis) were included. DDIs were evaluated using the Lexicomp® Drug Interactions Database and classified into risk categories A, B, C, D, and X. Clinical and laboratory parameters were compared between polypharmacy (5-9 drugs) and multipolypharmacy (≥10 drugs) groups. Results: A total of 259 patients were included (mean age: 72.8±6.3 years; 55.2% female). The most prevalent chronic conditions were hypertension (95.4%), coronary artery disease (76.1%), and diabetes mellitus (61.8%). Patients in the multipolypharmacy group had significantly higher rates of coronary artery disease (100% vs. 74.2%, p=0.011) and chronic kidney disease (89.5% vs. 34.6%, p
Tıraşçı et al. (Fri,) conducted a observational in Geriatric patients aged ≥65 years with polypharmacy (≥5 medications) attending internal medicine outpatient clinics (n=259). Patients using ≥10 medications had a 2.3-fold higher prevalence of clinically significant category D drug interactions (57.9% vs. 24.6%, p=0.002) compared to those using 5-9 medications.