Objectives Polypharmacy, the concurrent use of multiple medications, presents significant challenges and risks in modern healthcare systems, particularly among older individuals and those with chronic diseases. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and determinants of potential drug–drug interactions (pDDIs) among older adults at Jerusalem, Gaza Strip, and the West Bank of Palestine. This study serves as a baseline assessment before the October 2023 Palestine crisis, which led to extensive forced displacement. Methods This cross-sectional study examined the prescribed medications for 403 participants, conducted between May 2023 and August 2023, 2 months prior to the invasion of Gaza. This study served as a baseline evaluation of the potential pDDIs before the 7 October 2023 of Palestine crisis. Participants recruited using simple random sampling technique from medical records’ lists of patients. They were interviewed at various pharmacies and hospitals across Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, and the West Bank of Palestine using an online questionnaire created via Google Forms. Descriptive, Univariate and multivariate analyses, and Chi-square tests were carried-out by SPSS v21. Results The study revealed a high prevalence of pDDIs among the Palestinian population, with a substantial proportion of participants experiencing moderate to major interactions. Participants receiving a higher number of medications were significantly more likely to experience major pDDIs. Additionally, marital status was a significant factor associated with major pDDIs, with married individuals being more likely to experience major interactions compared to non-married individuals. Regional differences were also observed, with participants residing in the northern region of the West Bank more likely to experience moderate pDDIs. Moreover, participants diagnosed with dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus were significantly more prone to moderate pDDIs. Conclusions These findings emphasize the interaction of clinical and demographic factors in influencing the risk of pDDIs among participant patients in Palestine. Healthcare providers should consider these factors when prescribing medications and designing interventions to reduce the risks associated with polypharmacy.
Mosleh et al. (Thu,) studied this question.