Polypharmacy and Rational Drug Use; Home Care Services Unit Experience

Abstract

Background and Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of polypharmacy and potential inappropriate drug use among patients under our care within the scope of Home Care Services (HCS). Methods: This cross-sectional study retrospectively analyzed medication profiles of 274 HCS patients using data extracted from the Medulla system (August-September 2023). Polypharmacy was defined as the concurrent use of five or more medications. Potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) were identified using the WebMD® program. Their clinical significance was assessed through pharmacist review and an evidence-based evaluation of documented adverse outcomes. Results: Analysis of 274 patients revealed that most drug interactions (62.4%) were Category C, followed by B (23.2%), D (13%), and X (1.5%). The distribution of these risk categories varied significantly with patient age (p=0.013). Consequently, 59 patients had their medications adjusted to prevent life-threatening adverse effects. These findings highlight the critical need for ongoing medication assessment in home healthcare populations to manage polypharmacy and optimize prescribing. Conclusion: Future research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of these strategies and developing new interventions to reduce inappropriate medication use. Such efforts will play a vital role in enhancing the safety and efficacy of medication use in the elderly population.

Keywords

• Home Care Services
• Polypharmacy
• Rational Drug

References

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