Older adults who take five or more prescription medications face a notably higher risk of death than those taking fewer drugs. This was the conclusion of a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. The research underscores the increasing concern over polypharmacy, the practice of taking five or more daily prescriptions, and its impact on aging populations.
Research Background
Dr. Alexander Chaitoff led the study at the University of Michigan School of Medicine. Researchers analyzed data from a national survey involving 7,828 adults aged 65 and older, collected between 1999 and 2016. Staff members verified participants’ medication use by inspecting pill bottles, then followed these individuals for an average of 8.5 years.
Key Findings
More than half of the participants, 54.3%, were in at least one high-risk medication category. The group with the highest risk consisted of older adults taking five or more prescription drugs. Approximately 40% of older adults in the study were in this category. Another 37.6% used medications deemed risky for older individuals, such as those increasing confusion or fall risk.
Further, 11.4% of participants were on combinations of medications known to cause major drug interactions. After considering overall health and existing conditions, researchers found a 38% higher mortality risk associated with taking five or more prescriptions. Each additional medication increased the death risk by 7%.
Health Implications
The study highlights how multiple medications increase the likelihood of side effects and adverse drug reactions. As individuals age, their liver and kidneys process drugs less efficiently, which heightens these risks. Cleveland Clinic medical experts emphasize that these findings can guide doctors in identifying patients who could benefit from reducing unnecessary medications.
Considerations and Limitations
The study primarily focused on community-dwelling older adults, excluding those in nursing homes. As the study used a single 30-day snapshot of medication usage, it indicates an association rather than direct causation between prescriptions and mortality risk. Researchers acknowledged that changes in prescriptions or health conditions over time were not tracked.
Experts caution that observational studies show associations, not causation. Often, older adults on more prescriptions have multiple severe health conditions, which independently increase mortality risk.