Hyperpolypharmacy
Hyperpolypharmacy has been studied in 11 papers since 2016: 10 observational studies in people, 1 review; 3 in the past year. The newest paper, Mar 8, 2026: “Prescribed medication and polypharmacy determine frailty status in community-dwelling older adults from the VERISAUDE Study”.
11 papers study it17 findingsUpdated
See all 11 papers on hyperpolypharmacy
At a glance
Independent labs found the same change in people. 9 independent labs in 8 countries.
“Hyperpolypharmacy and super hyperpolypharmacy increased the primary outcome risk by 22% and 53%, respectively.”
1 of its findings points the other way.
- 9 independent labs in 8 countries
- 1 finding against
- Funders: Agence Nationale de la Recherche and others
- 1 of 17 findings with company ties
- Humans10
What did studies of hyperpolypharmacy find?
3Studies of hyperpolypharmacy measured 3 outcomes: kidney replacement therapy, mortality and physical function.
Kidney replacement therapy
no changein humans1HR 0.94
1 study
Kidney replacement therapy
no changein humans1HR 0.94
Hyperpolypharmacy was not clearly linked with kidney replacement therapy in humans (eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73m2) (HR 0.94 [0.78-1.14]).
“but not in those with eGFR < 30 (HR [95%CI] 0.94 [0.78-1.14])”
HumanseGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73m25 years
Hyperpolypharmacy in patients with chronic kidney disease and its impact on clinical outcomes
Scientific reports
Mortality
no changein humans1HR 0.93
1 study
Mortality
no changein humans1HR 0.93
Hyperpolypharmacy was not clearly linked with mortality in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) (HR 0.93, CI 0.70-1.24).
“In HFpEF, hyperpolypharmacy, univariable analysis was not associated with mortality (HR 0.93, CI 0.70-1.24, P = 0.63).”
Humansin heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF)
ESC heart failure
Physical function
downin humans1
1 study
Physical function
downin humans1
Hyperpolypharmacy is linked with worse physical function in patients on hemodialysis.
“Patients with hyperpolypharmacy had poorer physical function compared to the no polypharmacy group.”
Humansin patients on hemodialysis
Polypharmacy and sarcopenia in patients on hemodialysis: results from the SARC-HD study
Aging clinical and experimental research
What is hyperpolypharmacy linked with?
12Studies link hyperpolypharmacy with 12 measures, most often mortality (3 studies).
Mortality
upin humans3HR 1.46–1.95
3 studies
Mortality
upin humans3HR 1.46–1.95
Hyperpolypharmacy is associated with mortality in humans (chronic kidney disease) (HR 1.46 [1.17-1.82]).
“death before KRT (HR [95%CI] 1.46 [1.17-1.82])”
Humanschronic kidney disease5 yearsn = 3,011
Hyperpolypharmacy in patients with chronic kidney disease and its impact on clinical outcomes
Scientific reports
Hyperpolypharmacy is linked with a higher risk of mortality in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) (HR 1.95, CI 1.36-2.82).
“In those with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), univariable analysis showed hyperpolypharmacy was associated with twice the mortality compared to polypharmacy (HR 1.95, CI 1.36-2.82, P < 0.001).”
Humansin heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF)
ESC heart failure
Hyperpolypharmacy is linked with a higher risk of mortality in humans among non-frail participants (HR = 1.61, 95%CI = 1.09-2.40).
“hyperpolypharmacy (HR = 1.61, 95%CI = 1.09-2.40) were associated with higher risk of death”
Humansamong non-frail participants≥10 drugs12 months
Frontiers in medicine
Cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization
upin humans1+22%
1 study
Cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization
upin humans1+22%
Hyperpolypharmacy is linked with a higher risk of cardiovascular death or heart failure hospitalization in elderly patients with heart failure (+22%).
“Hyperpolypharmacy and super hyperpolypharmacy increased the primary outcome risk by 22% and 53%, respectively.”
Humansin elderly patients with heart failure
BMC geriatrics
Kidney replacement therapy
upin humans1HR 1.46
1 study
Kidney replacement therapy
upin humans1HR 1.46
Hyperpolypharmacy is linked with a higher risk of kidney replacement therapy in humans (eGFR >= 30 mL/min/1.73m2) (HR 1.46 [1.00-2.13]).
“Among patients with eGFR ≥ 30 mL/min/1.73m2, hyperpolypharmacy also raised the risk of KRT initiation (HR [95%CI] 1.46 [1.00-2.13])”
HumanseGFR >= 30 mL/min/1.73m25 years
Hyperpolypharmacy in patients with chronic kidney disease and its impact on clinical outcomes
Scientific reports
Hospitalization
upin humans1HR 1.34
1 study
Hospitalization
upin humans1HR 1.34
Hyperpolypharmacy is associated with hospitalization in humans (chronic kidney disease) (HR 1.34 [1.18-1.51]).
“hospitalization (HR [95%CI] 1.34 [1.18-1.51])”
Humanschronic kidney disease5 yearsn = 3,011
Hyperpolypharmacy in patients with chronic kidney disease and its impact on clinical outcomes
Scientific reports
Adverse drug reactions
upin humans1HR 1.21
1 study
Adverse drug reactions
upin humans1HR 1.21
Hyperpolypharmacy is associated with adverse drug reactions in humans (chronic kidney disease) (HR 1.21 [1.04-1.40]).
“Hyperpolypharmacy was associated with greater likelihoods of an ADR (hazard ratio (HR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] 1.21 [1.04-1.40])”
Humanschronic kidney disease5 yearsn = 3,011
Hyperpolypharmacy in patients with chronic kidney disease and its impact on clinical outcomes
Scientific reports
Mild cognitive impairment
upin humans1OR 47.94
1 study
Mild cognitive impairment
upin humans1OR 47.94
Hyperpolypharmacy is associated with mild cognitive impairment in humans (Compared with unmedicated individuals) (OR 47.94, 95% CI 34.97–65.73).
“elevated odds of ACD (OR: 20.21, 95 % CI: 14.51-28.14), AD (OR: 12.64, 95 % CI: 7.57-21.08), and MCI (OR: 47.94, 95 % CI: 34.97-65.73)”
HumansCompared with unmedicated individuals≥ 10 medication groups
Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia
Alzheimer's disease
upin humans1OR 12.64
1 study
Alzheimer's disease
upin humans1OR 12.64
Hyperpolypharmacy is associated with Alzheimer's disease in humans (Compared with unmedicated individuals) (OR 12.64, 95% CI 7.57–21.08).
“elevated odds of ACD (OR: 20.21, 95 % CI: 14.51-28.14), AD (OR: 12.64, 95 % CI: 7.57-21.08)”
HumansCompared with unmedicated individuals≥ 10 medication groups
Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia
All-cause dementia
upin humans1OR 20.21
1 study
All-cause dementia
upin humans1OR 20.21
Hyperpolypharmacy is associated with all-cause dementia in humans (Compared with unmedicated individuals) (OR 20.21, 95% CI 14.51–28.14).
“those taking ≥ 10 medication groups showing markedly elevated odds of ACD (OR: 20.21, 95 % CI: 14.51-28.14)”
HumansCompared with unmedicated individuals≥ 10 medication groups
Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia
Recurrent falls
upin humans1OR 3.46
1 study
Recurrent falls
upin humans1OR 3.46
Hyperpolypharmacy is linked with a higher risk of recurrent falls in humans (HIV-infected adults) (OR 3.46, 95% CI 1.32-9.12).
“The risk for recurrent falls was further increased in those with hyperpolypharmacy compared with those without polypharmacy (OR = 3.46; 95% CI = 1.32-9.12).”
HumansHIV-infected adults
Polypharmacy Is Associated With Slow Gait Speed and Recurrent Falls in Older People With HIV
Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
Fragility fracture
upin humans1HR 1.99
1 study
Fragility fracture
upin humans1HR 1.99
Hyperpolypharmacy is linked with a higher risk of fragility fracture in humans (adjusted for osteoporosis risk factors, CKD status, and comorbidities) (HR 1.99, 95% CI 1.35-2.92).
“adjusted hazard ratios were 1.32 (95% CI 0.96-1.79) and 1.99 (1.35-2.92) for those with polypharmacy and hyperpolypharmacy, respectively”
Humansadjusted for osteoporosis risk factors, CKD status, and comorbidities5.6 yearsn = 2,023
Polypharmacy, chronic kidney disease, and incident fragility fracture: a prospective cohort study
Journal of bone and mineral metabolism