Abstract

HERNANDEZ CERON, Inmaculada et al. Analysis of comorbidity and quality of life of elderly patients with polypharmacy. Rev Clin Med Fam [online]. 2016, vol.9, n.2, pp.91-99. ISSN 2386-8201.

Objective: To describe the clinical features of polymedicated elderly patients, to know their comorbidity, and to analyze their quality of life. Design: Observational cross-sectional study. Location: Primary care clinics of four health-care districts in the Health Area of Albacete. Participants: By consecutive sampling, 275 subjects of age ≥65 who consumed more than five drugs were selected. Main measures: Socio-demographic variables, health problems (CIAP-2 classification), comorbidity (Charlson Index), consumption of drugs, cardiovascular risk and quality of life (EuroQol questionnaire) were collected. Results: The average age was 76.5 years (SD 6.7). 75.3 % had five or more health problems. The most common were endocrinological 93.8 %, cardiovascular 92.0 % and locomotive 57.8%. 40% showed a ≥2 Charlson Index. The average score for quality of life through the descriptive EuroQol-5D questionnaire was 0.767 (SD 0.179). By multiple linear regression, the variables associated with better quality of life (descriptive questionnaire) were: younger age (B=-0,004; 95% CI:-0,006 to -0,001), male gender (B=0,064; 95% CI=0,025 to 0,104), higher social class (B=-0,014; 95% CI=-0,029 to -0,001), physical activity (B=:-0,086; 95% CI=-0,109 to -0,063), lower Charlson index (B=-0,019; 95% CI=-0,037 to -0,002), and less locomotive problems (B=-0,019; 95% CI=-0,037 to -0,002) and psychological problems (B=-0,055; 95% CI=-0,091 to -0,018). Conclusions: Nine out of ten elderly with polypharmacy present endocrine or cardiovascular diseases. Three quarters suffer from five or more chronic diseases. It was found that the variables associated with better quality of life were younger age, male gender, social class, physical activity, lower Charlson Index and less locomotive and psychological problems.

Keywords : Comorbidity; Quality of Life; Primary Health Care.

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