Evaluation of polypharmacy and its effects in nursing home residents in Edirne province

The research data were obtained through face-to-face interviews using a survey administered to 120 volunteers who were receiving services from nursing homes affiliated with the Edirne Provincial Directorate of Family and Social Services. These participants scored 24 and above on the Standardized Mini Mental Test (MMSE) or the appropriate version of the Modified Mini Mental State Examination for the Uneducated (MMSE-E) and did not have communication limitations. The 38-item survey comprised questions on sociodemographic characteristics, health-related variables, medications used, and the Katz Index of Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Among the participants, 85 (70.8%) were female and 35 (29.2%) were male, with a mean age of 77.24 ± 8.38 years. At least one chronic disease was detected in 91.7% of the participants, and the average daily number of medications used was found to be 7.64 ± 5.19 (range 0–23). Moreover, polypharmacy was present in 69.2% of the participants. Polypharmacy was more frequently observed in the presence of chronic diseases and in those with certain identified chronic diseases. Additionally, a statistically significant relationship was found between having children, having 3 or more emergency service applications in the last year, needing assistance with all shopping, and staying in a nursing home for a longer period, and the state of polypharmacy. The medications used by the participants were systematically grouped, and potential drug-drug interactions (pDDI) were evaluated. It was determined that using some drug groups increased polypharmacy and pDDI. Furthermore, a statistically significant relationship was found between polypharmacy and pDDI. Identifying polypharmacy risk factors and related conditions is important for management strategies. In this process, adopting a multidisciplinary approach and the involvement of the family physician will increase treatment effectiveness. Keywords: Polypharmacy, nursing home, elderly, chronic dissae