4035.0: Tuesday, November 14, 2000 - Board 7

Abstract #7078

Associating medication use with quality of life in the elderly

Amanda J. Boening1, Claudio R. Nigg, PhD2, Norma J. Owens, PharmD1, and Phillip G. Clark, ScD3. (1) College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, 111 Polo Dr, Saunderstown, RI 02874, 401-295-2263, amandaboening@hotmail.com, (2) Health Promotion Partnership, University of Rhode Island, c/o CPRC, 2 Chafee Rd, Kingston, RI 02881, (3) Program in Gerontology, University of Rhode Island, White Hall G-15, Kingston, RI 02881

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between taking three or more prescription or OTC drugs each day and quality of life in the elderly over one year, and to assess whether demographic characteristics moderated drug use. METHODS: The study was a naturalistic longitudinal design assessing health in elderly Rhode Islanders residing in government subsidized housing. Upon receiving IRB approval and informed consent, trained interviewers administered baseline (n=157) and one year follow-up questionnaires (n=73; mean age=78, SD=8; 85% female; 85% Caucasian). Follow-up respondents were not different demographically from non-respondents (p>.05). Quality of life was assessed using the SF-36, and medication use with the statement “I take three or more different prescribed or OTC drugs each day”. RESULTS: ANOVAs revealed that baseline medication use was related to follow-up quality of life. Medication use was significantly related to five of eight SF-36 sub-scales: physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, general health, and vitality (p<.05). Higher medication use was associated with poorer outcomes. SF-36 subscales not significantly related to baseline medication use were social functioning, role-emotional, and mental health. Demographics (age, sex, race, marital status, education) were not related to medication use. CONCLUSIONS: Over one year, use of three or more prescription or OTC drugs each day was associated with worsening general and physical health aspects of quality of life according to the SF-36. Increasing medication use seems to have a deleterious impact on quality of life in community-dwelling elderly who are demographically homogeneous. This study shows direct implications of multiple medication use.

Learning Objectives:

  1. To identify importance of quality of life in the elderly.
  2. Ability to recognize the impact of medication use on quality of life.
  3. Discuss implications of multiple medication use.

Keywords: Elderly, Quality of Life

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA