Association between polypharmacy and mortality in the community dwelling elderly: A retrospective cohort study

KILINÇARSLAN M. G., Çıbık B., ŞAHİN E. M.

Geriatric Nursing, vol.65, 2025 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 65
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2025.103479
  • Journal Name: Geriatric Nursing
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, ASSIA, Abstracts in Social Gerontology, AgeLine, CINAHL, EMBASE
  • Keywords: Medication adherence, Mortality determinants, Polypharmacy, Retrospective Study, Topical administration
  • Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

In this study, we examined the association between the use of multiple medications (polypharmacy) and mortality in 116 community-dwelling elderly people. This retrospective cohort study included 116 participants randomly selected from a population of 1161 community-dwelling elderly individuals. Of the 116 participants, 60 (51.72 %) were female, with a mean age of 74.09±6.53 years at the start of the study in 2015. After a median follow-up of 2932 days, 37 participants (31.90 %) were identified as deceased. The results showed that higher mortality was associated with increased medication adherence and a higher total number of medications. Notably, the use of topical medications did not contribute to the observed mortality. When assessing polypharmacy, it is recommended to exclude topical medications from the count, as they were found to have no effect on mortality. These findings highlight the need for thoughtful medication management to improve health outcomes in older populations.