Association between Polypharmacy and Socio-demographic factors among elderly residents of Kahrizak Charity Foundation, Tehran, 2010-2011

To investigate association between Polypharmacy and socio-demographic factors between the elderly residents of Kahrizak Charity Foundation (KCF) In a descriptive analytic cross-sectional study، 237 (134female) elderly residents of KCF، aged 60 and more، included trough randomized cluster sampling، were studied for the number of medication used and the association between polypharmacy (concurrent use of 5 or more medications) and socio-demographic factors، including age، sex، education، and smoking. The mean number of medications used by any resident and the prevalence of polypharmacy were 5. 1 (±3. 22) and 52. 3% respectively. Compared with the 60-69 age group، the odds of polypharmacy، insignificantly increased in 70-79 age group (OR=1. 09، 95%CI 0. 53-2. 25) and decreased in 80 and more age group (OR=0. 68، 95%CI0. 37-1. 24). The Prevalence and odds of polypharmacy were insignificantly lower in men (OR=0. 68، 95%CI0. 37-1. 24) and significantly lower in smokers (OR=0. 36، 95%CI 0. 17-0. 79). There was a direct significant association between polypharmacy and years of official education (OR=1. 09، 95%CI 1. 01-1. 18). The mean number of medication used and the prevalence of polypharmacy were high in KCF. Increase in years of official education and non-smoking were risk factors of polypharmacy in this population. There was no significant association between age and sex with polypharmacy. Suggestions: Future well-designed national studies among older people living in nursing homes are highly suggested.