Factores asociados a la polifarmacia en población anciana no institucionalizada. Análisis de la submuestra de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2006 para personas mayores de Castilla y León / Factors related to polypharmacy in the non-institutionalised elderly. Analysis of the subsample of the National Survey of Health 2006 for the elderly in Castile-Leon

Introducción. El aumento de enfermedades de tipo crónico y degenerativo en el anciano conduce a un mayor consumo de medicamentos, que le convierte en una persona polimedicada, con los problemas que conlleva respecto a reacciones adversas e interacciones de fármacos. Material y métodos. Se analiza la submuestra de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2006, correspondiente a adultos mayores de 65 años residentes en Castilla y León (n=458). Mediante un modelo de regresión logística y un análisis factorial de correspondencias, se valoró qué variables influyen más en la polifarmacia. Resultados. El 86% de los entrevistados declaró consumir medicamentos y el 93,9% presenta alguna enfermedad crónica. Los problemas de salud más frecuentes son: artrosis, artritis o reumatismo (53,5%) e hipertensión (48,3%) y los medicamentos más consumidos son hipotensores (45%), medicamentos para el dolor (37,1%) y para el reumatismo (21,4%). Tanto la media de enfermedades presentadas como los fármacos consumidos son significativamente superiores en aquellos que dicen tener «mala o regular salud», los que frecuentan los servicios sanitarios, los que presentan déficit visual y auditivo y los que tienen dependencia para el cuidado personal, labores domésticas y movilidad (p<0,05). Las variables asociadas a la polifarmacia son: 3 o más enfermedades crónicas (OR=18,3), salud autopercibida regular-mala (OR=3,4) y sexo femenino (OR=1,9). Conclusiones. Dada la magnitud del problema sería conveniente incluir en los exámenes de salud del anciano una revisión del consumo de fármacos, en particular en las mujeres mayores de 75 años, con regular o mal estado de salud autopercibido que presentan 3 o más enfermedades(AU)

Background. The increase in chronic and degenerative diseases in the elderly leads to increased and multiple drug usage, which in turn leads to problems associated with adverse reactions and drug interactions. Material and methods. We analysed the subsample of the National Health Survey 2006, for adults over 65 living in Castile-León (n=458). Using a logistic regression model and correlation analysis the variables having more influence on polypharmacy were evaluated. Results. A total of 86% of those interviewed claimed to be taking drugs and 93.9% had a chronic illness. The most common health problems included arthrosis, arthritis or rheumatism (53.5%) and hypertension (48.3%), and most frequently used drugs were hypotensives (45%), pain medications (37.1%) and those for rheumatism (21.4%). Both the mean number of illnesses suffered and the drugs consumed are significantly higher in those who claimed to have, “or or fair health, used the health services, had impaired eyesight and hearing, dependent for personal care and domestic tasks, and mobility (P<.05). The variables associated with polypharmacy are three or more chronic diseases (OR=18.3), regular-poor self perceived health (OR=3.4) and females (OR=1.9). Conclusions. Given the magnitude of the problem it would be appropriate to include a review of the medications in health examinations of the elderly, particularly in women older than 75 years, with regular or self-perceived poor health and who have 3 or more diseases(AU)

[Factors related to polypharmacy in the non-institutionalised elderly. Analysis of the subsample of the national survey of health 2006 for the elderly in Castile-Leon]. / Factores asociados a la polifarmacia en población anciana no institucionalizada. Análisis de la submuestra de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2006 para personas mayores de Castilla y León.

BACKGROUND: The increase in chronic and degenerative diseases in the elderly leads to increased and multiple drug usage, which in turn leads to problems associated with adverse reactions and drug interactions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analysed the subsample of the National Health Survey 2006, for adults over 65 living in Castile-León (n=458). Using a logistic regression model and correlation analysis the variables having more influence on polypharmacy were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 86% of those interviewed claimed to be taking drugs and 93.9% had a chronic illness. The most common health problems included arthrosis, arthritis or rheumatism (53.5%) and hypertension (48.3%), and most frequently used drugs were hypotensives (45%), pain medications (37.1%) and those for rheumatism (21.4%). Both the mean number of illnesses suffered and the drugs consumed are significantly higher in those who claimed to have, "or or fair health, used the health services, had impaired eyesight and hearing, dependent for personal care and domestic tasks, and mobility (P<.05). The variables associated with polypharmacy are three or more chronic diseases (OR=18.3), regular-poor self perceived health (OR=3.4) and females (OR=1.9). CONCLUSIONS: Given the magnitude of the problem it would be appropriate to include a review of the medications in health examinations of the elderly, particularly in women older than 75 years, with regular or self-perceived poor health and who have 3 or more diseases.