Multimorbidity, polypharmacy, and mortality in older patients with pacemakers

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of multimorbidity and polypharmacy and its association with all-cause mortality in older patients with pacemakers are largely unknown. We aimed to clarify the prevalence of multimorbidity and polypharmacy, and its association with all-cause mortality in patients ≥75 years of age with pacemakers. Methods: We retrospectively investigated 256 patients aged ≥75 years (mean age 84.0 ± 5.3 years; 45.7% male) with newly implanted pacemakers. The study endpoint was all-cause mortality (“with events”). Multimorbidity was defined as a Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥3. Polypharmacy was defined as the use of ≥5 medications. Results: During the follow-up period (median, 3.1 years), 60 all-cause deaths were reported. The Charlson Comorbidity Index (2.9 ± 1.9 vs. 1.7 ± 1.7, p