Factors related to Polymedication in the elderly and patient safety: an integrative review

Abstract

Objective: to identify factors related to polymedication in the elderly and the relationship with patient safety. Method: this is an integrative literature review performed in the databases SCIELO, LILACS and BDENF through the PICO strategy to define the guiding question and the PRISMA flowchart for article selection. The searches covered the period from 2014 to 2018, being selected the articles available in Portuguese, in full and in original format. Results: The factors related to polymedication in the elderly were under 80 years old, low level of education, female, with comorbidities, living alone and having access to the private health network. Conclusion: Polymedication endangers the safety of elderly patients in order to increase the length of hospital stay and, in more severe cases, can lead to death due to complications related to the use of multiple drugs.