Key result
Pre-admission polypharmacy is linked to ~4-fold higher odds of discharge polypharmacy in elderly patients.
Why the study?
Hospitalization increases drug prescription at discharge in elderly patients, but the determinants and quality of this prescription practice are not well understood.
Population
2465 elderly patients enrolled in the GIFA study discharged from general medicine and geriatrics wards
Comparison
Polypharmacy (more than 6 drugs) vs no polypharmacy at discharge
Design
Observational cohort study
Follow-up
At discharge
Authors
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Prior polypharmacy and comorbidity predict discharge regimens in elderly inpatients; leaves open whether targeted reconciliation reduces adverse outcomes.
Observational (n=2,465)
Yes
Odds Ratio: 4.32 (95% CI 3.13–5.96)
Hospitalization in acute care wards significantly increases the number of prescribed drugs at discharge in elderly patients, driven largely by prior polypharmacy and comorbidities.
Corsonello et al. (2007) conducted an observational in Elderly patients at discharge from acute care hospital (n=2,465). Polypharmacy prior to admission vs. No polypharmacy prior to admission was evaluated on Polypharmacy at discharge (>6 drugs prescribed) (OR 4.32, 95% CI 3.13-5.96). Polypharmacy prior to admission was a significant independent correlate of polypharmacy at discharge in elderly patients (OR 4.32; 95% CI 3.13-5.96).
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