SOC Istituto di Igiene ed Epidemiologia Clinica, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Udine, Udine, Italy.
Ann Ist Super Sanita. 2019 Jul-Sep;55(3):233-239. doi: 10.4415/ANN_19_03_06.
The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and assess patient-related determinants of polypharmacy in the general population of the Italian area around Udine.
A retrospective cohort study was conducted using administrative databases: drug prescriptions, hospital discharges, ambulatory care prescriptions, exemptions from medical charges. Various definitions of polypharmacy were adopted (co-prescription of multiple medications, use of multiple medications for overlapping time periods). The role of patient's characteristics on polypharmacy was assessed through regression analyses.
In 2017, 63.7% of the general population received at least one drug prescription. 25 218 persons were co-prescribed ≥ 5 medications at least once. The prevalence of co-prescriptions among persons ≥ 65 years was 31.7%. 20 793 persons used ≥ 60 DDDs of ≥ 5 medications. The prevalence of all these phenomena was much higher in the elderly than in children and adults. The number of comorbidities significantly affected all types of polypharmacy.
In this area, the prevalence of polypharmacy is high, particularly among the elderly. Age and comorbidities significantly affect the risk. Further research will aim at evaluating the health effects and appropriateness of polyphamacy.
本研究旨在评估意大利乌迪内地区普通人群中药物使用的流行情况，并评估与患者相关的决定因素。
采用回顾性队列研究设计，利用药物处方、住院记录、门诊处方、医疗费用豁免等行政数据库。采用多种药物同时使用（多种药物同时开具处方、重叠时间段内使用多种药物）的定义来定义多重用药。通过回归分析评估患者特征对多重用药的影响。
2017 年，63.7%的普通人群至少开具了一种药物处方。25218 人至少开具了一次≥5 种药物的处方。≥65 岁人群中同时开具≥5 种药物的比例为 31.7%。20793 人使用≥60 个药物日剂量（DDD）的≥5 种药物。这些现象在老年人中的发生率明显高于儿童和成年人。合并症的数量显著影响所有类型的多重用药。
在该地区，多重用药的流行率较高，特别是在老年人中。年龄和合并症显著影响风险。进一步的研究将旨在评估多重用药的健康影响和适当性。
