• P Ramgoolie and S Nichols.
• The University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
• W Indian Med J. 2015 May 15; 65 (2): 323-327.

ObjectiveIn this study, we evaluated the association of polypharmacy and nutritional status among independently-living elderly persons attending the outpatient clinics at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex (EWMSC).MethodParticipants were recruited at the outpatient pharmacy at EWMSC. Face-to-face interviews were conducted using a questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic, health and nutritional status items. Anthropometry was taken using standard procedures. Participants gave oral and written consent prior to enrolment in the study. Participation was voluntary. The study wasapproved by the Ethics Committee, EWMSC.ResultsOne hundred and three persons - polypharmacy (≥ 6 medications) = 57; non-polypharmacy (< 6 medications) = 46 persons) - participated in the study. There was no significant difference in the age, gender, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), mid-arm circumference, calf circumference, highest educational level achieved and marital status between the groups. The number of medications prescribed was significantly positively associated with the number of ailments (r = 0.56; p < 0.001) and the risk of malnutrition (r = 0.30; p = 0.006). Persons with polypharmacy were significantly more likely than their non-polypharmacy counterparts to be at increased risk for malnutrition (OR = 3.94, 95% CI: 1.52, 10.13; p = 0.004). This finding remained highly significant after simultaneous adjustment for age, gender, ethnicity, highest educational level achieved, marital status and number of diseases (p = 0.03).ConclusionAmong participants, polypharmacy and number of ailments were positively associated with an increased risk of malnutrition. Nonetheless, the mechanisms underlying these associations remain unclear.

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