Polypharmacy: As a Predictive Indicator of Mortality and Length of Stay for Geriatric Patients Charged in ICU
Ismail Demir1, Tahir Belice11Department of Internal Diseases, University of Health Sciences Izmir Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey
Objective: In this study, we aimed at evaluating the effect of polypharmacy on the mortality and the length of stay of elderly patients that charged in the ICU. Method: The patients aged 65 and over which were admitted to the intensive care unit between the dates of September 2018 and August 2019 were included in this study. The statistical calculations were made with SPSS and then the significant parameters were investigated seperately. Results: In ICU, retrospectively, a positive statistical significance was found between polypharmacy and the lenght of stay with mortality rates in our study with 235 geriatric patients (p <0.05). When biochemical parameters were compared between polypharmacy and non-polypharmacy groups, a significant difference was found in RDW, vitamin B12, uric acid, Fe and ferritin parameters (p<0.05). Conclusion: If we could make comprehensive geriatric assessments in time, we would be able to make the right diagnosis and the right choices of medication for older people and as a result we would be able to decrease the proportion of negative effects of polypharmacy to some extent.
Cite This Article
Demir I, Belice T. Polypharmacy: As a Predictive Indicator of Mortality and Length of Stay for Geriatric Patients Charged in ICU. EJMI. 2020; 4(3): 315-319
Corresponding Author: Ismail Demir