Polypharmacy and Elevated Risk of Severe Adverse Events in Older Adults Based on the Korea Institute of Drug Safety and Risk Management-Korea Adverse Event Reporting System Database
10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e205
- Author:
Grace Juyun KIM
1
;
Ji Sung LEE
;
Sujung JANG
;
Seonghui LEE
;
Seongwoo JEON
;
Suehyun LEE
;
Ju Han KIM
;
Kye Hwa LEE
Author Information
1. Big Data Research Center, Asan Institute for Life Sciences, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2024;39(28):e205-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:Older adults are at a higher risk of severe adverse drug events (ADEs) because of multimorbidity, polypharmacy, and lower physiological function. This study aimed to determine whether polypharmacy, defined as the use of ≥ 5 active drug ingredients, was associated with severe ADEs in this population.
Methods:We used ADE reports from the Korea Institute of Drug Safety and Risk Management-Korea Adverse Event Reporting System Database, a national spontaneous ADE report system, from 2012 to 2021 to examine and compare the strength of association between polypharmacy and severe ADEs in older adults (≥ 65 years) and younger adults (20–64 years) using disproportionality analysis.
Results:We found a significant association between severe ADEs of cardiac and renal/ urinary Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities System Organ Classes (MedDRA SOC) with polypharmacy in older adults. Regarding individual-level ADEs included in these MedDRA SOCs, acute cardiac arrest and renal failure were more significantly associated with polypharmacy in older adults compared with younger adults.
Conclusion:The addition of new drugs to the regimens of older adults warrants close monitoring of renal and cardiac symptoms.
