Polypharmacy in the elderly from the clinical toxicologist perspective

Christ M, Gosch M, Mühlberg W, Bahrmann P, Bertsch T, Sieber C, Singler K, Heppner HJ (2012)

Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2012

Journal

Zeitschrift für Gerontologie und Geriatrie Springer Verlag (Germany)

Publisher: SPRINGER HEIDELBERG

Book Volume: 45

Pages Range: 473-478

Journal Issue: 6

DOI: 10.1007/s00391-012-0383-6

Abstract

Polypharmacy is closely associated with multimorbidity in the elderly and can lead to problems and drug interactions.This study assessed polypharmacy in the elderly, tracking inquiries to the Poison Information Centre Nuremberg (PICN) and patients needing toxicological intensive care therapy.From 2006-2009, all PICN inquiries involving individuals > 70 years were tracked, as were cases at the Toxicological Intensive Care Unit (T-ICU) regarding adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and drug poisoning.Of 11,683 PICN calls about pharmaceuticals, 175 (1.5%) were from people > 70 years; 156 (4.8%) of 3,272 T-ICU patients were > 70 years. Calls about psychopharmaceuticals (46.9%) and analgesics (25.7%) were most frequent. Among the T-ICU patients, psychopharmaceuticals like sedatives and hypnotics were frequently involved (20.5%), as were tricyclic antidepressants (17.9%) and analgesics (29.5%). Ethanol was co-ingested by 18.3%.Population-specific poison prevention strategies are needed to reduce toxic exposures. Such strategies could include pharmacist intervention, improved prescriber communication and education regarding the geriatric population, and computerized drug databases.

Authors with CRIS profile

Wolfgang Mühlberg Medizinische Fakultät Philipp Bahrmann Lehrstuhl für Innere Medizin (Geriatrie) Cornel Sieber Lehrstuhl für Innere Medizin (Geriatrie) Katrin Singler Lehrstuhl für Innere Medizin (Geriatrie) Hans Jürgen Heppner

Involved external institutions

Klinikum Nürnberg DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Christ, M., Gosch, M., Mühlberg, W., Bahrmann, P., Bertsch, T., Sieber, C.,... Heppner, H.J. (2012). Polypharmacy in the elderly from the clinical toxicologist perspective. Zeitschrift für Gerontologie und Geriatrie, 45(6), 473-478. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00391-012-0383-6

MLA:

Christ, M., et al. "Polypharmacy in the elderly from the clinical toxicologist perspective." Zeitschrift für Gerontologie und Geriatrie 45.6 (2012): 473-478.

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