Outcomes of Polypharmacy in Nursing Home Residents

Our objective was to review the literature on outcomes of polypharmacy in the nursing home. Using MEDLINE, we reviewed primarily original, English language articles starting from 1990 that were specific to polypharmacy in nursing homes. We report on outcomes of potentially inappropriate medications, adverse drug events, drug-drug interactions, falls, fractures, hospitalizations, death and cost of polypharmacy. Our literature review found that polypharmacy was associated with increased use of potentially inappropriate drugs, adverse drug events, potential drug-drug interactions, hospitalizations, and higher cost. Polypharmacy was not consistently associated with falls, fractures, or mortality.