Polypharmacy and Hyperpolypharmacy in Older Adults With Parkinson Disease

Polypharmacy and hyperpolypharmacy are highly prevalent among older adults (OAs) with Parkinson disease (PD), and eventually increase the risk of drug-related problems, according to authors of a study recently published in Gerontology.

Polypharmacy is defined as the concomitant use of 5 to 9 medicines and hyperpolypharmacy is the concomitant use of more than 10 medicines. According to authors of the study, in order to understand the harmful phenomenon of hyperpolypharmacy and polypharmacy in OAs with PD, more attention is needed.

Researchers conducted a systematic literature review to better understand the association of adverse outcomes and polypharmacy/hyperpolypharmacy among older adults with PD.
Using data from PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase databases, the researchers identified 6 of 499 studies that met inclusion criteria which resulted in 7171 participants.

In the final cohort, overall prevalence for polypharmacy measured 40% (95% CI: 37–44) and  18% (95% CI: 13–23) for hyperpolypharmacy.

“A meta-analysis of 4 studies indicated a significant association between polypharmacy (OR: 1.94, 95% CI: 1.26-2.62; P < .001) and PD,” stated researchers. “Hyperpolypharmacy was also strongly associated with PD (OR: 3.11, 95% CI: 2.08-4.14; P < .001).”

“…Interventions that ensure rational geriatric pharmacotherapy are of critical importance for the older population with neurogenerative disorders,” concluded study authors. “These steps may eventually reduce the risk of inappropriate medication use and drug-related problems.”

Reference:
Bhagavathula AS, Tesfaye W, Vidasagar K, Fialova D. Polypharmacy and hyperpolypharmacy in older individuals with Parkinson disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Gerontology. 2022. doi: 10.1159/000521214.