Comparing Comorbid Profile and the Pattern of Non-Psychiatric Medicine Use Between Elderly and Non-Elderly Patients with Schizophrenia

Patients with schizophrenia receive psychiatric medications for many years, and their comorbid profile in old age remains unclear. Moreover, their pattern of non-psychiatric medicine use is of importance. Rehabilitation is crucial in patients with schizophrenia because it improves their strengths and life skills to live independently. These issues are essential in terms of polypharmacy among them, and its associated adverse effects. 

The present cross-sectional study investigated 131 patients with schizophrenia referring to Razi Hospital who were selected by a convenience sampling method. The subjects’ medical records were evaluated in terms of comorbid disorders and non-psychiatric medicine use patterns. Their demographic data were also collected by a separate questionnaire.

The frequency of schizophrenia disorder was higher in males aged ≥65 years. The comorbidity frequency of non-psychiatric disorders was significantly higher in the elderly, compared to non-elderly patients. The most prevalent comorbid disorders in the elderly were musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and metabolic disorders; and in the non-elderly neurological, hematological, and digestive diseases. The prevalence of non-psychiatric medicine intake was significantly higher in the elderly. The prevalence of non-psychiatric medicine use in the elderly (e.g. aspirin, heart disease medications, hypertension medications, etc.) and non-elderly patients (e.g. anemia medications, antibiotics, anticonvulsants, etc.) was not similar. 

In schizophrenic patients, the old age period is associated with more comorbid disorders, compared to their healthy counterparts. Such comorbid profile is similar to other patients; e.g. the most prevalent comorbidities were musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and metabolic disorders. Polypharmacy is a medical problem in the elderly, with numerous adverse effects. The adjunct consumption of psychiatric medications with the non-psychiatric ones highlights the vital phenomena of drug interactions and associated adverse effects of polypharmacy.