Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
EHMA 2025: Taking action to improve health for all, Rennes, Fransa, 4 - 06 Haziran 2025, ss.33, (Özet Bildiri)
Context: The primary objective of this study was to investigate the impact of polypharmacy on treatment adherence and health related quality of life. Furthermore, the study sought to identify the key determinants of the polypharmacy. The research was carried out among 326 individuals aged 65 years and older who received healthcare services at a family health centre in Erzincan, Türkiye.
Methods: The data for the study was collected through a survey administered to 326 elderly patients. A personal information form was utilized, which included questions on age, gender, the number, type, and duration of chronic diseases, as well as the number of the prescribed medications. To assess participants' quality of life, the EQ-5D-5L General Quality of Life Scale was employed, while the Medication Adherence Report Scale (developed by Horne (2004)) was used to evaluate medication adherence levels. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify the determinants of polypharmacy, and multivariate regression analysis was applied to explore the effects of polypharmacy and other variables on quality of life and medication adherence.
Results: The findings of the study indicate that polypharmacy is quite common (%70.2) among individuals aged 65 and older. Among chronic conditions, the presence of digestive system diseases was identified as a significant factor increasing the likelihood of polypharmacy. Also, polypharmacy was found to have the most statistically significant influence on both the quality of life and medication adherence levels of the participants.
Conclusion: This study emphasizes the detrimental effects of polypharmacy on treatment adherence and quality of life among individuals aged 65 and older. The findings highlight critical factors that should be addressed in healthcare access and treatment processes for the elderly population. Effective management of polypharmacy is essential for enhancing health outcomes in this age group. Therefore, it is recommended that healthcare providers focus on minimizing the adverse impacts of polypharmacy in older adults.