Alzheimer’s disease patients given a handful of drugs every day are at higher risk of long-term harm, including early death, a new study warns. People with severe cognitive decline suffer more symptoms, falls, and hospitalizations, according to research from Drexel University’s College of Nursing in Philadelphia.

“They experienced greater functional decline, required more assistance with activities of daily living such as eating, bathing and dressing, and were more likely to require assistive devices such as a cane or walker,” said lead researcher Martha Coates of Drexel University College. was more likely.” Of Nursing.

This, also known as polypharmacy — taking more than five medications a day — is a significant concern for people as they age, the researchers said. “Point reductions of five or more medications per day have been linked to adverse health outcomes in previous research, and as the number of medications increases, the risk of adverse drug events and harms increases,” Coats said in a Drexel news release. ”

More than 30 percent of elderly are affected by polypharmacy

Statistics show that in general, more than 30 percent of elderly people are affected by polypharmacy. However, researchers say not much is known about what effect polypharmacy has on people with Alzheimer’s or related dementias.

For the study, published in the journal Biological Research for Nursing, researchers looked at extensive data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study — a research project at Johns Hopkins University that focuses on Medicare beneficiaries. They analyzed samples from more than 2,000 people in detail from 2016 to 2019 to track changes in symptoms, diseases and physical function.

Coats said, “We found that older adults with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia and polypharmacy experienced more unpleasant symptoms, falls, hospitalizations, and increased mortality than those without Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia and polypharmacy. ”

Coated said there are tools available to help health care providers manage burdensome medication regimens for older adults, but these tools are not specifically designed to meet the needs of people with Alzheimer’s or dementia. .

Why is polypharmacy dangerous for people with Alzheimer’s?

According to scientists, interactions between Alzheimer’s disease drugs and drugs to treat physical illnesses may reduce their efficacy and increase side effects.

The researchers also say there are several tools available to help doctors review and manage medication regimens for older adults experiencing polypharmacy and remove those that are potentially inappropriate or no longer needed. Do not provide benefits. However, currently, there are no such specific tools for older adults suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

The research team anticipates that this study will help guide future analyzes of the impact of specific medications on health outcomes in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and that it provides a basis to support intervention development for medication optimization.

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