{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Association between polypharmacy and cognitive impairment in older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
{Author}: Yu X;Qian Y;Zhang Y;Chen Y;Wang M;
{Journal}: Geriatr Nurs
{Volume}: 59
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024 Aug 6
{Factor}: 2.525
{DOI}: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2024.07.005
{Abstract}: OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis explored the relationship between polypharmacy and cognitive impairment in older adults.
METHODS: We systematically searched for observational studies on polypharmacy and cognitive impairment in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and CINAHL databases and performed meta-analysis to pool the study results using fixed- or random-effects models. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment Development, and Evaluation system.
RESULTS: Twenty-seven studies involving 124,452,121 older adults aged >60 years were included. These studies showed that the risk of cognitive impairment was significantly increased in older adults with polypharmacy (≥5 medications) (OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.23-1.58, P < 0.001) and in those with excessive polypharmacy (≥10 medications) (OR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.01-2.25, P = 0.042).
CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests a potential association between polypharmacy and cognitive impairment in older adults. However, the causal relationship requires further verification.