Factors associated with polypharmacy among elderly people receiving care under the family health strategy

Abstract Objective: to identify the medication profile, the prevalence of polypharmacy and associated factors among elderly people receiving care from Family Health Strategy teams. Method: an analytical, document-based, cross-sectional survey with a quantitative approach was conducted in Brazlândia in the Distrito Federal, Brazil, with a sample of 211 elderly people enrolled in and receiving care from one of the local Family Health Strategy teams. Data were submitted to bivariate analysis and multiple analysis through logistic regression. Results: a considerable number of the elderly (62, 29.4%) were undergoing polypharmacy. The majority (56, 26.5%) used three different classes of drug, with antihypertensive drugs the most used. Diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular complications and the use of antihypertensive drugs were factors associated with polypharmacy. Conclusion: polypharmacy is a worrying reality and demands a new approach on the part of professionals, as this important aspect of geriatrics should be carefully evaluated to avoid harm and iatrogeny among the elderly.