Lupus & antiphospholipid syndrome
Polypharmacy and Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors' conclusion
The prevalence of polypharmacy in this SLE cohort was higher than in the general Manitoban population. Polypharmacy is a strong marker for use of prescription benzodiazepines/Z-drugs and opioids.
Study context
- Population
- Adults age ≥50 years with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (ACR or SLICC classification criteria) followed at a tertiary care rheumatology clinic, Manitobamean age 62 years, 91% female
- Participants
- 206 participants
- Outcome
- Prevalence of polypharmacy (≥5 and ≥10 medications) and use of benzodiazepines/Z-drugs and opioids
- Follow-up
- 4 months preceding chart review
Methodological detailssingle-centre (tertiary care rheumatology clinic), logistic regression
- Single-centre (tertiary care rheumatology clinic)
- Logistic regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication use
Filled ≥5 medications
148
72%
Filled ≥10 medications
71
35%
Used benzodiazepines/Z-drugs
63
31%
Used opioids
50
24%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Factors associated with polypharmacy
| aOR (95% CI) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Prednisone useFor ≥5 medications | 3.70 (1.40–9.79) | |
| CCI score | 1.62 (1.20–2.17) | |
| Rural residence | 2.05 (1.01–4.18) | |
| 0.10.31310Adjusted odds ratio (log scale) |
Factors associated with benzodiazepine/Z-drug use
| aOR (95% CI) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Polypharmacy | 4.35 (1.69–11.22) | |
| 0.050.21520Adjusted odds ratio (log scale) |
Factors associated with opioid use
| aOR (95% CI) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Polypharmacy | 6.75 (1.93–23.69) | |
| CCI score | 1.29 (1.08–1.54) | |
| 0.050.21520Adjusted odds ratio (log scale) |
Polypharmacy in patients age ≥65 years (n=77) vs Manitobans age ≥65 years
- Filled ≥5 medications, SLE ≥65 years
- 57 (74%)
- Filled ≥10 medications, SLE ≥65 years
- 26 (34%)
- ≥5 medications, Manitobans ≥65 years
- 30%
- ≥10 medications, Manitobans ≥65 years
- 4%
- National Prescription Drug Utilization Information System, 2016
Original publication
Polypharmacy and Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Older Adults With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). Published 11 October 2022. doi:10.
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