Study Finds Increased Mortality Risk for Polypharmacy Among Older Adults

Recent research published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society reveals that older adults who take five or more prescription medications face a substantially higher risk of death compared to those on fewer drugs. This study underscores concerns regarding polypharmacy, a term referring to the use of five or more daily prescriptions, and its impact on aging populations.

Research Overview

Led by Dr. Alexander Chaitoff from the University of Michigan School of Medicine, researchers analyzed data from 7,828 adults aged 65 and older collected between 1999 and 2016. The study involved trained staff verifying medication use by inspecting participants’ pill bottles over the past 30 days, followed by monitoring their health outcomes for an average of 8.5 years.

Key Findings

Over half of the study participants (54.3%) fell into at least one high-risk medication category, with a significant portion taking five or more prescription drugs. Notably, 37.6% of the participants used medications deemed risky for older adults, such as those increasing confusion or fall risks.

Additionally, a subset (11.4%) consumed combinations known to cause serious drug interactions. After adjusting for health and conditions, taking five or more prescriptions was linked to a 38% increase in mortality risk, with each additional medication raising the risk by 7%.

Medical Implications

Medical experts highlight how multiple medications can lead to side effects, adverse reactions, and accidental overdoses, especially as aging affects liver and kidney functions. The findings suggest potential benefits in identifying candidates for ‘deprescribing,’ or reducing unnecessary medications.

Study Limitations

The authors acknowledge limitations, noting the focus on community-dwelling seniors excluded those in nursing homes or care facilities. As the study captured medication use at a single time point, it shows association rather than causation between medication use and mortality risk.

Experts emphasize that observational studies like this show correlation rather than direct causation. Often, those with more prescriptions have complex health issues contributing independently to higher mortality risks.

Khloe Quill, a lifestyle writer for Fox News Digital, covers topics ranging from food and travel to health.