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Frailty Status and Polypharmacy Predict All-Cause Mortality in Community Dwelling Older Adults in Europe

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  • Luís Midão

    (UCIBIO REQUIMTE, Faculty of Pharmacy, Porto4Ageing, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
    Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal)

  • Pedro Brochado

    (UCIBIO REQUIMTE, Faculty of Pharmacy, Porto4Ageing, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal)

  • Marta Almada

    (UCIBIO REQUIMTE, Faculty of Pharmacy, Porto4Ageing, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal)

  • Mafalda Duarte

    (CINTESIS—Center for Health Technology and Services Research, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal
    Higher Education Institute of Health of Alto Ave, 4720-155 Amares, Portugal)

  • Constança Paúl

    (Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
    CINTESIS—Center for Health Technology and Services Research, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal)

  • Elísio Costa

    (UCIBIO REQUIMTE, Faculty of Pharmacy, Porto4Ageing, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

European population ageing is associated with frailty, a complex geriatric syndrome, and polypharmacy, both resulting in adverse health outcomes. In this study we aimed to evaluate the impact of frailty and polypharmacy, on mortality rates, within 30 months, using a cohort of SHARE participants aged 65 years old or more. Frailty was assessed using a version of Fried’s phenotype criteria operationalized to SHARE while polypharmacy was defined as taking five or more drugs per day. We found a prevalence of 40.4% non-frail, 47.3% pre-frail and 12.3% frail participants. Moreover, a prevalence of polypharmacy of 31.3% was observed, being 3 three times more prevalent in frail individuals and two times in pre-frail individuals, when compared with non-frail. Individuals with both conditions had shown higher mortality rates. Comparing with non-polymedicated non-frail individuals all the other conditions are more prone to die within 30 months. Polymedicated older and male participants exhibited also higher mortality rates. This work shows polypharmacy and frailty to be associated with a higher risk of all-cause of mortality and highlights the need to decrease ‘unnecessary’ polypharmacy to reduce drug-related issues and also the need to assess frailty early to prevent avoidable adverse outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Luís Midão & Pedro Brochado & Marta Almada & Mafalda Duarte & Constança Paúl & Elísio Costa, 2021. "Frailty Status and Polypharmacy Predict All-Cause Mortality in Community Dwelling Older Adults in Europe," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-13, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:7:p:3580-:d:526724
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Virtudes Pérez-Jover & José J. Mira & Concepción Carratala-Munuera & Vicente F. Gil-Guillen & Josep Basora & Adriana López-Pineda & Domingo Orozco-Beltrán, 2018. "Inappropriate Use of Medication by Elderly, Polymedicated, or Multipathological Patients with Chronic Diseases," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-14, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Maria Gabriella Melchiorre & Marco Socci & Giovanni Lamura & Sabrina Quattrini, 2024. "The Social Sustainability of the Use of Information and Communication Technologies by Frail Older People Ageing in Place Alone in Italy: Barriers and Impact on Loneliness and Social Isolation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-25, July.
    2. Ana Pereira & Luís Midão & Marta Almada & Elísio Costa, 2021. "Pre-Frailty and Frailty in Dialysis and Pre-Dialysis Patients: A Systematic Review of Clinical and Biochemical Markers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-15, September.

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