Population-based prevalence of polypharmacy and patterns of medication use in southwestern Iran: A cross-sectional study.
Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf
; 31(5): 592-603, 2022 05.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35187734
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Pharmaceutical medications are considered an important component of healthcare delivery and there is a need for its rational use; although there have been major improvements in the pharmaceutical sector in the recent past, inappropriate medication use is considered a major threat to patients' health. Therefore, the pattern of medication use should be monitored routinely. The aim of this study was to investigate the population-based prevalence of polypharmacy and the patterns of medication use in southwestern Iran. We also investigated correlates between polypharmacy and patterns of medication use.METHODS:
Data from the Khuzestan Comprehensive Health Study (KCHS) which consists information of 30 506 with age range to 20 to 65 years were used. Crude and age-standardized prevalence of polypharmacy and their 95% confidence intervals were estimated for different subpopulations. Multivariable Poisson regression modeling was applied, and adjusted prevalence ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were estimated. The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification system (first and second levels) was used for drug classification in different groups based on age, gender, and socioeconomic status.RESULTS:
Out of 30 506 adults, 93.3% were not on any medications, and age- and gender-standardized prevalence of polypharmacy was 0.24%. The lowest estimated prevalence was among Arab participants (0.13%). The prevalence of polypharmacy was 1.57% among elderly people, and 4.78% among patients with heart diseases. Socioeconomic status was not associated with polypharmacy (prevalence ratio 0.95; p = 0.573) but was significantly associated with patterns of medications use for alimentary tract and metabolism and nervous system diseases. The most common drug classes were cardiovascular system (3.93%), alimentary tract and metabolism (2.79%), nervous system (1.01%), systemic hormonal preparations (0.69%), and blood and blood-forming organs (0.38%).CONCLUSIONS:
The prevalence of polypharmacy is very low in Khuzestan province, especially in the Arab population. Future research is needed to investigate the causes of medication underuse in this population.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Polimedicação
/
Prescrição Inadequada
Tipo de estudo:
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Humans
/
Middle aged
País/Região como assunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf
Assunto da revista:
EPIDEMIOLOGIA
/
TERAPIA POR MEDICAMENTOS
Ano de publicação:
2022
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Irã