A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY ON POLYPHARMACY IN ELDERLY PATIENTS AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF TRIPURA

Background: There is a significant link between polypharmacy and the emergence of adverse effects, drug interactions, and increased mortality among elderly patients. Polypharmacy and inappropriate prescription are matters of concern in elderly individuals; therefore, this study was done to find the pattern of polypharmacy among elderly patients. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out at Tripura Medical College & Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Memorial Teaching Hospital (TMC) for a period of 12 months for elderly patients. Polypharmacy was analyzed by counting the number of medications per prescription. Each prescription drug was analyzed for overprescription, under-prescription, and inappropriateness individually. Baseline data were represented by suitable tables & figures and expressed in frequency, percentage, mean & standard deviation. The Chi-square test was applied to find out any statistical association. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: 444 elderly (65 years & above) patients attending medicine OPD were interviewed individually. Our study showed that 36.93% of the patients were receiving polypharmacy. There was a significant association between overprescription or underprescription and comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension with diabetes, and other comorbidities. About 23.87% of patients received an inappropriate prescription. As per MAI criteria, significant inappropriateness was found in prescriptions with chronic kidney disease. Conclusion: The study can help in judicious selection of drugs while prescribing for the elderly individual in order to prevent the ill effects of polypharmacy.