dc.contributor.author
Mielke, Nina
dc.contributor.author
Huscher, Dörte
dc.contributor.author
Douros, Antonios
dc.contributor.author
Ebert, Natalie
dc.contributor.author
Gaedeke, Jens
dc.contributor.author
Giet, Markus van der
dc.contributor.author
Kuhlmann, Martin K.
dc.contributor.author
Martus, Peter
dc.contributor.author
Schaeffner, Elke
dc.date.accessioned
2020-07-21T13:42:18Z
dc.date.available
2020-07-21T13:42:18Z
dc.identifier.uri
https://refubium.fu-berlin.de/handle/fub188/27853
dc.identifier.uri
http://dx.doi.org/10.17169/refubium-27606
dc.description.abstract
Background: Older adults have the highest drug utilization due to multimorbidity. Although the number of people over age 70 is expected to double within the next decades, population-based data on their medication patterns are scarce especially in combination with polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication (PIM). Our objective was to analyse the frequency of polypharmacy, pattern of prescription (PD) and over-the-counter (OTC) drug usage, and PIMs according to age and gender in a population-based cohort of very old adults in Germany.
Methods: Cross-sectional baseline data of the Berlin Initiative Study, a prospective cohort study of community-dwelling adults aged ≥70 years with a standardized interview including demographics, lifestyle variables, co-morbidities, and medication assessment were analysed. Medication data were coded using the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification. Age- and sex-standardized descriptive analysis of polypharmacy (≥5 drugs, PD and OTC vs. PD only and regular and on demand drugs vs regular only), medication frequency and distribution, including PIMs, was performed by age (</≥80) and gender.
Results: Of 2069 participants with an average age of 79.5 years, 97% (95%CI [96%;98%]) took at least one drug and on average 6.2 drugs (SD = 3.5) with about 40 to 66% fulfilling the criteria of polypharmacy depending on the definition. Regarding drug type more female participants took a combination of PD and OTC (male: 68%, 95%CI [65%;72%]); female: 78%, 95%CI [76%;80%]). Most frequently used were drugs for cardiovascular diseases (85%, 95%CI [83%;86%]). Medication frequency increased among participants aged ≥80 years, especially for cardiovascular drugs, antithrombotics, psychoanaleptics and dietary supplements. Among the top ten prescription drugs were mainly cardiovascular drugs including lipid-lowering agents (simvastatin), beta-blockers (metoprolol, bisoprolol) and ACE inhibitors (ramipril). The most common OTC drug was acetylsalicylic acid (35%; 95%CI [33%;37%])). Dose-independent PIM were identified for 15% of the participants.
Conclusions: Polypharmacy was excessive in older adults, with not only PD but also OTC drugs contributing to the high point prevalence. The medication patterns reflected the treatment of chronic diseases in this age group. There was even an increase in medication frequency between below and above 80 years especially for drugs of cardiovascular diseases, antithrombotic medication, psychoanaleptics, and dietary supplements.
en
dc.rights.uri
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.subject
Older adults
en
dc.subject
Polypharmacy
en
dc.subject
Potentially inappropriate medication
en
dc.subject
Prescription drugs
en
dc.subject
Over-the-counter drugs
en
dc.subject
Epidemiology
en
dc.subject.ddc
600 Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften::610 Medizin und Gesundheit::610 Medizin und Gesundheit
dc.title
Self-reported medication in community-dwelling older adults in Germany: results from the Berlin Initiative Study
dc.type
Wissenschaftlicher Artikel
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.articlenumber
22
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.doi
10.1186/s12877-020-1430-6
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.journaltitle
BMC Geriatrics
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.originalpublishername
BMC
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.volume
20
refubium.affiliation
Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
refubium.resourceType.isindependentpub
no
dcterms.accessRights.openaire
open access
dcterms.bibliographicCitation.pmid
31964342
dcterms.isPartOf.eissn
1471-2318