Polypharmacy Frequency: the Relationship Between Polypharmacy and Mortality in COVID-19 (+) Older Adults

Objective: This study aims to determine the relationship between polypharmacy and Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) (+) related mortality. Materials and Methods: All older adults >60 years old who had positive COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction tests were included in the study, designed retrospectively. Polypharmacy was defined as drug use of five or more. Results: One hundred and ten people of >60 years old were included in the study. Fifty-nine (53.6%) of the participants were male and the mean age was 70.5+8.81. The prevalence of polypharmacy in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 infection was 31.8% (n=35). Eighty-two (78.8%) of participants had pneumonia. Mortality occurred in 24 (21.8%) of the participants. There was no relationship between polypharmacy and mortality (p=0.241). In multivariate analysis, older age was associated with mortality (odds ratio: 6.82 95% confidence interval: 2.46-18.91, p<0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of polypharmacy in individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 infection was like the literature. The most significant factors in death in people with COVID-19 infection were older age. There was no relationship between polypharmacy and mortality.