Polifarmacia en México: un reto para la calidad en la prescripción

Abstract

Objective. To analyze the prevalence of polypharmacy, as well as the factors that identify the groups with higher risk, in population study in Mexico. Materials and Methods. Descriptive analysis of the Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición 2018-19 (Ensanut 2018-19), Utilization of services (medicine section) and Household questionnaires, to obtain prevalence of polypharmacy (simultaneous consumption ≥5 medicines). A logistic regression model was used to estimate the association of polypharmacy with sociodemographic and health care factors. Results. Prevalence of polypharmacy: 18 years, 15.5%, and 65 years, 26.5%. Higher prevalence in: nephropathies (61.5%), heart disease (42.2%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (38.5%), diabetes (29.3%) and hypertension (26.4%). Increased possibility in adults 65 years (OR:1.95), low schooling (OR:1.54), social security (OR:1.64), serviced in public services (OR:1.7) and chronic illness (OR:1.84). Conclusions. Polypharmacy is associated with chronic disease and some sociodemographic factors. Large area of opportunity to improve quality of care, particularly pharmacological prescription to identified population with higher risk.