Prevalence and determinants of Hyperpolypharmacy in adults with heart failure: an observational study from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

TitlePrevalence and determinants of Hyperpolypharmacy in adults with heart failure: an observational study from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2019
AuthorsKennel PJ, Kneifati-Hayek J, Bryan J, Banerjee S, Sobol I, Lachs MS, Safford MM, Goyal P
JournalBMC Cardiovasc Disord
Volume19
Issue1
Pagination76
Date Published2019 Apr 01
ISSN1471-2261
Abstract

BACKGROUND: While an expanding armamentarium of pharmacologic therapies has contributed to improved outcomes among adults with heart failure (HF) over the past two decades, this has also been accompanied by an increase in the number of medications taken by adults with HF. The use of at least 10 medications, defined as hyperpolypharmacy, is particularly notable given its association with adverse outcomes. We aimed to assess the prevalence and identify determinants of hyperpolypharmacy among adults with HF.

METHODS: We studied adults aged ≥50 years with self-reported HF from the National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in 2003-2014. We calculated weighted means and percentages to describe patient characteristics. We conducted a multivariable Poisson regression analysis to identify factors independently associated with hyperpolypharmacy; we adjusted for survey sampling, socio-demographics, comorbidity, geriatric conditions, and health care utilization. We examined 947 participants, representing 4.6 million adults with HF.

RESULTS: The prevalence of hyperpolypharmacy was 26%. In a multivariable regression analysis, comorbidity count, ≥10 ambulatory contacts, and ≥ 3 hospitalizations were independently associated with hyperpolypharmacy. Interestingly, functional impairment and cognitive impairment were not independently associated with hyperpolypharmacy; while low annual household income and low educational status were each associated with an almost 2-fold increase in hyperpolypharmacy.

CONCLUSION: Hyperpolypharmacy is a common condition among adults with HF. We additionally found that low household income and low educational status are independently associated with hyperpolypharmacy, suggesting that non-medical factors may be contributing to this potentially harmful condition.

DOI10.1186/s12872-019-1058-7
Alternate JournalBMC Cardiovasc Disord
PubMed ID30935411
PubMed Central IDPMC6444677
Grant ListR03AG056446 / / National Institute on Aging /
Division: 
Biostatistics
Category: 
Faculty Publication