2020 Volume 2 Issue 1 Pages 33-39
Purpose: We examined the current status of polypharmacy and its effects on albumin values.
Subjects and Methods: We evaluated a total of 1,892 patients for concurrent use of multiple medications between April 2 and July 27, 2018, and calculated the proportion of those on 6 or more medications (defined as polypharmacy). We investigated associations of albumin values with patient characteristics, total number of medications, and 12 typical therapeutic chemical classes that are known to decrease appetite.
Results: Of the 1,892 patients, 578 (30.5%) had been prescribed 6 or more medications. No correlation was noted between number of medications and albumin values (r = -0.125, p = 0.003). In addition, multivariate analysis of risk factors for a decrease in albumin values showed odds ratios of 1.105 for number of medications, 0.398 for female sex, 0.572 for antihypertensives, 4.067 for opioids, and 8.874 for antidementia drugs.
Conclusion: No significant correlation was noted between number of medications and albumin values, but number of medications, male sex, opioids, and antidementia drugs were factors associated with a decrease in albumin values.
