Profile of elderly persons with metabolic syndrome and factors associated with possible drug interactions

Abstract Objectives: To describe the sociodemographic, clinical and pharmacotherapy characteristics of elderly persons with metabolic syndrome and to identify factors associated with drug interactions among these individuals. Method: A quantitative, analytical and transversal study was carried out among 263 elderly people with metabolic syndrome in the urban area of Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Possible drug interactions were identified and classified according to the Micromedex® DrugReax System. The chi-squared test and the multiple logistic regression model were used for analysis (p<0.05). Results: The majority of the individuals were female (70.7%); aged 60 to 74 years (72.3%); lived with a spouse/partner (63.9%); had some schooling (74.1%); an individual monthly income of ≤ one minimum wage (77.1%); lived with others (88.2%); had five or more morbidities (89.7%) and exhibited polypharmacy (73.0%); used potentially inappropriate medications (54.4%) and had possible drug interactions (75.3%). Associated with the possible presence of drug interactions were: age range (p=0.005), polypharmacy (p<0.001) and use of potentially inappropriate medications (p=0.006). Conclusion: Possible drug interactions were associated with increased age, polypharmacy and the use of potentially inappropriate medications. This study contributes to knowledge of these possible interactions among elderly people with metabolic syndrome, and as such can be considered an important tool for planning actions to ensure the safety of these individuals who, due to the complexity of their treatment, use multiple medications.

摘要 研究目的：阐明代谢综合征老年患者的社会人口学、临床及药物治疗特征，并明确该群体中与药物相互作用相关的影响因素。方法：本研究为定量分析性横断面研究，纳入巴西米纳斯吉拉斯州乌贝拉巴市区内263名代谢综合征老年患者。采用Micromedex® DrugReax系统识别并分类潜在药物相互作用，分析过程采用卡方检验及多元Logistic回归模型（P<0.05）。结果：研究对象中女性占比70.7%，年龄介于60至74岁者占72.3%，与配偶/伴侣共同居住者占63.9%，具备一定受教育程度者占74.1%，个人月收入≤1倍最低工资标准者占77.1%，与他人共同居住者占88.2%，合并5种及以上共病者占89.7%，存在多重用药者占73.0%，使用潜在不适当用药者占54.4%，且存在潜在药物相互作用者占75.3%。与潜在药物相互作用显著相关的因素包括：年龄区间（P=0.005）、多重用药（P<0.001）及潜在不适当用药使用情况（P=0.006）。结论：潜在药物相互作用与高龄、多重用药及潜在不适当用药使用存在显著关联。本研究丰富了代谢综合征老年患者群体中潜在药物相互作用相关的认知，鉴于该类患者治疗方案复杂、需联合使用多种药物，本研究可为制定保障此类患者用药安全的干预措施提供重要工具与依据。