International Journal of Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance · Jul 11, 2026
Polypharmacy and Healthcare Utilization Outcomes in Older Adults: A Retrospective Study
By Kumar PMS, Kumar L, Kumari A
Background: Polypharmacy is increasingly prevalent among older adults due to rising multimorbidity and is associated with adverse drug events and increased healthcare utilization.Evidence from low-and middle-income settings remains limited.Aim: To evaluate the association between polypharmacy and healthcare utilization outcomes, including emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, pneumonia-related care, and mortality among older adults.Methodology: A retrospective observational cohort study was conducted using medical records of 192 patients aged ≥65 years at Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital, Laheriasarai, Darbhanga, Bihar, India.Polypharmacy was defined as the use of five or more medications.Healthcare utilization outcomes were assessed over a threeyear follow-up.Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for age, gender, smoking, depression, and comorbidity burden was performed.Results: Polypharmacy was present in 59.4% of participants and was associated with older age, higher comorbidity burden, smoking, and depression.After adjustment, polypharmacy was independently associated with higher odds of recurrent all-cause ED visits (aOR 2.41), hospitalizations (aOR 2.18), pneumonia-related ED visits (aOR 1.97), pneumonia hospitalizations (aOR 2.63), and mortality (aOR 2.12).Conclusion: Polypharmacy is an independent predictor of increased healthcare utilization and mortality in older adults, highlighting the need for regular medication review and optimization.