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Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

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A Study on Complications of Polypharmacy in Diabetic Geriatric Patients
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Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

DOI: 10.18579/jopcr/v18.2.suresh

Year: 2019, Volume: 18, Issue: 2, Pages: 1-8

Original Article

A Study on Complications of Polypharmacy in Diabetic Geriatric Patients

Suresh M1, Surya Tejaswini P1, Albin Tom1, Mahesh N M1,∗

1Department of Pharmacy Practice, Krupanidhi College of Pharmacy, Varthur Hobli, Carmelaram, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

 

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate medication adherence, drug-drug interactions, adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and the incidence of falls among geriatric patients with diabetes. Methods: This observational, prospective study included 100 geriatric patients with diabetes on polypharmacy (> 4 drugs) over 6 months. Patients were monitored for ADRs, with causality and severity assessed using the Naranjo Scale and Modified Hartwig & Siegel Scale, respectively. Medication adherence was evaluated using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. Potential drug-drug interactions were checked via the Lexicomp online database, and falls were tracked through telephonic follow-ups over one month. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings: The average number of drugs per prescription was 8.6. Among the 100 patients, 81% had at least one comorbid condition. Medication adherence rates were 41%, 17%, and 32%, respectively. A total of 108 potential drug-drug interactions were identified: 6 major, 59 moderate, and 42 minor, involving drugs such as enalapril, diclofenac, metformin, glimepiride, aspirin, ondansetron, and norfloxacin. Six ADRs were reported: one moderate and five mild, with metformin-induced hypoglycaemia (50%), glimepiride-induced dyspepsia (33.33%), and metformin-induced diarrhoea (16.66%). Six falls were observed among the patients during the study. Novelty: Polypharmacy among geriatric patients with diabetes is a significant concern, requiring combined efforts from healthcare professionals to address issues of medication adherence, drug interactions, and cognitive impairment.

Keywords: Polypharmacy, Diabetes, Medication adherence, Drug­drug interaction

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Copyright

© 2019 Published by Krupanidhi College of Pharmacy. This is an open-access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) 

  • 22 September 2024

Year: 2019, Volume: 18, Issue: 2


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