Association between Polypharmacy and Depression, Anxiety and Stress in Elderly: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to examine the association between polypharmacy and depression, anxiety and stress in elderly. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 396 elderly admitted to two different hospitals in a province in eastern Türkiye. Information Form and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 were used to collect data. The data were obtained between August and September 2023. Results: Polypharmacy was present in 43.7% of the elderly. In the study, it was determined that income status (OR=0.385; %95 GA=0.163-0.909, P=.029), hypertension (OR=3.899; 95% CI=1.606-9.466, P=.003), coronary artery disease (OR=6.677; 95% CI=2.620-17.020, P=.001), diabetes (OR=3.924; 95% CI=1.543-9.981, P=.004), lung disease (OR=8.893; 95% CI=2.909-27.180, P .05). Conclusion: Further study on association between polypharmacy and depression, anxiety and stress in elderly is necessary. In future studies, it is recommended to use more comprehensive measurement tools, to evaluate which group the medicines used by the elderly belong to and to test causality.