Comparative Analysis of Polypharmacy-Associated Adverse Drug Reactions in Geriatric Patients with Multisystem Chronic Illnesses
Keywords:
Polypharmacy, Adverse drug reactions, Geriatric patients, Multimorbidity, Medication safetyAbstract
Purpose
This study aims to evaluate adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with polypharmacy in geriatric patients with multiple chronic conditions and to compare ADR incidence rates across commonly prescribed therapeutic drug classes.
Design/methodology/approach
A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving 550 patients aged 65 years and older with at least three chronic illnesses. Electronic medical records from tertiary care hospitals were reviewed to identify medication use patterns and documented ADRs. Statistical analyses included logistic regression models and incidence rate ratio calculations to assess associations between polypharmacy, multimorbidity, and ADR occurrence.
Findings
Polypharmacy, defined as the concurrent use of five or more medications, was significantly associated with an increased incidence of ADRs. The highest ADR rates were observed among patients receiving cardiovascular and central nervous system (CNS) medications. Additionally, patients with higher multimorbidity scores demonstrated a substantially elevated risk of ADRs.
Practical implications
The findings underscore the importance of individualized medication review, routine risk assessment, and structured deprescribing strategies in geriatric healthcare settings to reduce medication-related harm and improve patient safety.
Originality/value
This study provides a comparative analysis linking polypharmacy, multisystem chronic disease burden, and ADR risk in elderly populations. By integrating clinical and pharmacological data, it offers valuable evidence to support the development of safer prescribing practices and informs future geriatric clinical guidelines.
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