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Cited by 540Pharmaceutical Practices and Patient OutcomesPharmacy and Medical PracticesChronic Disease Management Strategies

Polypharmacy in the elderly: A literature review

Fulton, Maryann M., Riley Allen, Elizabeth·2005·Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
DOI 10.1111/j.1041-2972.2005.0020.x
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Abstract

Purpose: To review the body of literature addressing polypharmacy in individuals aged 60 years and older to (a) determine primary care providers’ definition of polypharmacy, (b) explore how polypharmacy was assessed in primary care, and (c) seek tested interventions that address polypharmacy. Data sources: A systematic review of electronic bibliographic databases (e.g. EBSCOHost, InfoTrac, OVID, FirstSearch, and FirstSearch Deluxe) utilizing the search terms “polypharmacy,”“polypharmacy and elderly,”“polypharmacy and research,” and “multiple medications” for the period January 1991 to October 2003 was completed. The search was supplemented with online site searches of relevant journals and review of reference lists of each article. Conclusions: Results of the literature review revealed that polypharmacy continues to be a significant issue and little research has been conducted regarding the methods primary care providers utilize to assess polypharmacy. Also, there is a gap in the literature regarding the interventions implemented by primary care providers to address polypharmacy. Implications for practice: The following definition of polypharmacy in clinical practice might be more practical: the use of medications that are not clinically indicated. Selecting appropriate limits for numbers of medications may be counterproductive in populations with multiple comorbidities.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1041-2972.2005.0020.x

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  • A challenge in treating type 2 diabetes is that polypharmacy may be intentional and necessary to control related comorbidities and reduce the risk of diabetes complications.

    “A challenge in treating type 2 diabetes is that polypharmacy may be intentional and necessary to control related comorbidities and reduce the risk of diabetes complications.73, 74.”

    From Diabetes in Older Adults: A Consensus Report (2012) · cites this paper as [74]

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Authors
Fulton, M. M., & Riley Allen, E.
Venue
Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2005-04
Volume
17
Issue
4
Pages
123-132
ISSN
  • 1041-2972 (ISSN-L)
  • 1745-7599
DOI
10.1111/j.1041-2972.2005.0020.x
OpenAlex
W2018802488
Cited by
540
References
20
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 30 · 2021: 25 · 2020: 33 · 2019: 40 · 2018: 37 · 2017: 39 · 2016: 48 · 2015: 40 · 2014: 35 · 2013: 28 · 2012: 37
FWCI
5.23
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor, 188 d)
Locations
  • Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Geriatrics and Gerontology › Pharmaceutical Practices and Patient Outcomes
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmacology › Pharmacy and Medical Practices
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Chronic Disease Management Strategies
Keywords
polypharmacy, older adults, primary care, inappropriate medication use, comorbidities
MeSH terms
Aged, Aging, Attitude of Health Personnel, Drug Interactions, Drug Utilization, Geriatric Nursing, Health Services Needs and Demand, Humans, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacology, Practice Patterns, Physicians', Primary Health Care, United States, Geriatric Assessment, Drug Monitoring, Patient Selection, Polypharmacy

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