Is polypharmacy associated with mortality in the very old: Findings from the Newcastle 85+Study

Polypharmacy is common in the very old (>= 85 years), where little is known about its association with mortality. We aimed to investigate the association between polypharmacy and all-cause mortality in the very old, over an 11-year time period. Data were drawn from the Newcastle 85+ Study (741), a cohort of people who were born in 1921 and turned 85 in 2006. Survival analysis was performed using Cox proportional hazards models with time-varying covariates, wherein polypharmacy was operationalised continuously. Each additional medication prescribed was associated with a 3% increased risk of mortality (hazard ratio: 1.03, 95% confidence interval: 1.00-1.06). Amongst the very old, the risks and benefits of each additional medication prescribed should be carefully considered.

Automated summary

This study aimed to investigate the association between polypharmacy and all-cause mortality in the very old. The results showed that each additional medication prescribed was associated with a 3% increased risk of mortality. Amongst the very old, the risks and benefits of each additional medication prescribed should be carefully considered.