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Revista Cubana de Medicina General Integral

Print version ISSN 0864-2125On-line version ISSN 1561-3038

Abstract

GORT HERNANDEZ, Magaly et al. Characterization of medicine consumption by the elderly. Rev Cubana Med Gen Integr [online]. 2019, vol.35, n.4, e970.  Epub Apr 10, 2019. ISSN 0864-2125.

Introduction:

Polypharmacy is considered to be an indicator of frailty in advanced age.

Objective:

Characterize medicine consumption by the elderly.

Methods:

A quantitative cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at family consultation office No. 7 in San Diego de los Baños during the year 2018. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were complied with. The study universe was 280 elderly people of whom a sample of 265 was selected. Data were obtained from medical records and surveys. The variables analyzed were age, sex, polypharmacy, prescription and over-the-counter drugs, and adverse reactions. Use was made of absolute frequency and relative percentage distribution.

Results:

A predominance was found of the male sex (52.0%), the 60-69 age group (46.7%), osteoarthritis (54.0%) and hypertension (32.0%). Polypharmacy was present in 67.9% of the elderly subjects, and 19.6% had had adverse reactions mainly caused by prescription drugs.

Conclusions:

Medicine consumption by the elderly was characterized by an increase in polypharmacy and prescription drugs, associated to a number of adverse reactions.

Keywords : medicines; elderly person; polypharmacy.

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