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Geriatrics

Session: Poster Session B

(083) A Case-control Study On Polypharmacy And Co-medications in Alzheimer’s Disease

Tuesday, August 27, 2024
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM CEST
Location: Convention Hall II

    Presenting Author(s)

  • AA

    Ali Alghamdi, PharmD, MS

    PhD candidate
    Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, PharmacoTherapy, -Epidemiology & -Economics, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands, Netherlands

    • Co-Author(s)

  • Sd

    Stijn de Vos, PhD

    PharmacoTherapy, -Epidemiology and -Economics, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands, Netherlands

  • SM

    Sumaira Mubarik, PhD

    PharmacoTherapy, -Epidemiology and -Economics, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands, Netherlands

  • CS

    Catharina C. M. Schuiling-Veninga, PhD

    PharmacoTherapy, -Epidemiology and -Economics, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands, Netherlands

  • JB

    Jens H.J. Bos, BSc

    PharmacoTherapy, -Epidemiology and -Economics, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands, Netherlands

  • BV

    Barbara C. van Munster Van Munster

    Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Medical Center of Groningen, University of Groningen, 9700 AB Groningen, The Netherlands, Netherlands

  • HL

    H. J. Luijendijk

    Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Medical Center of Groningen, University of Groningen, 9700 AB Groningen, The Netherlands, Netherlands

  • EH

    Eelko Hak, PhD

    PharmacoTherapy, -Epidemiology and -Economics, Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands, Netherlands

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that leads to memory impairment and cognitive decline. Older individuals often have multiple chronic conditions requiring chronic medications, a phenomenon known as polypharmacy. Potentially inappropriate medications can exacerbate cognitive decline and may be more prevalent in AD.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the extent to which AD patients experience more frequent polypharmacy compared to a reference population. Additionally, we assessed which potentially inappropriate medications were more common among patients with AD.

Methods: We conducted a case-control study using the University of Groningen IADB.nl community pharmacy database. Our study included individuals over 65 years of age who initiated AD treatment with controls matched for age and sex. We estimated odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals to measure associations.

Results: In total, we included 4,150 AD patients and 37,350 controls. Polypharmacy was present in 45.3% of AD patients and 40.4% of controls (OR: 1.221, 95% CI: 1.145-1.302, p < 0.001). Both female and male AD patients had a higher odds ratio for polypharmacy compared to controls. Several medication classes, such as PPIs and statins were significantly more prescribed to AD patients than to controls. Gout and COPD/Asthma medications were significantly less prescribed to AD patients. Frequent PIMs for AD patients included anticholinergics, benzodiazepines, PPIs, antipsychotics, and antidepressants.

Conclusions: Patients with AD exhibit a higher prevalence of polypharmacy compared to those without AD. Therefore, it is essential to carefully monitor potentially inappropriate medications when treating patients with AD.