Original Research
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
08:30 AM–10:00 AM
Abstract
Introduction: Inflammation has been reported to be associated with the aging and multimorbidity.
Research Question or Hypothesis: The objective of this study was to elucidate the relationships between polypharmacy and markers of inflammation.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study.
Methods: Participants who were 65 years of age or older and took at least one prescription medication from the National Health and Nutrition Examination (1999-2018) were included in the cross-sectional study. The concurrent use of 5 to 9 medications was defined as polypharmacy, while the use of more than 9 medications was defined as hyper-polypharmacy. Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and product of platelet count and neutrophil count (PPN) were calculated from blood cell counts. Weighted linear regression analysis, subgroups analysis and sensitivity analysis were used to investigate the relationship between polypharmacy and markers of inflammation.
Results: Of 10,753 participants assessed, 4,115 (weighted percentage: 38.3%) were taking between 5 and 9 medications and 474 (weighted percentage: 4.4%) were taking more than 9 medications. After adjustment for covariates, multivariable linear regression revealed a significant correlation between both polypharmacy and hyper-polypharmacy and inflammatory indicators. Weighted ß-coefficient and 95% confidence interval of polypharmacy were 0.077(0.045, 0.109), 0.102(0.070, 0.134), 0.07(0.044, 0.096), 0.064(0.042, 0.086), 0.038(0.014, 0.063), 0.045(0.016, 0.075), 0.021(0.004, 0.037), and 0.028(0.011, 0.044) for SII, SIRI, NLR, MLR, PLR, PPN, white blood cell (WBC) and C-reaction protein, respectively. The positive associations between hyper-polypharmacy and inflammatory markers were more pronounced, with the exception of WBC. The results of subgroup and sensitivity analyses demonstrated a robust, positive correlation between polypharmacy and inflammatory markers, particularly for SII, SIRI, NLR, and MLR.
Conclusion: In a population of older Americans, polypharmacy was found to significantly increase levels of inflammation, a relationship that was independent of the presence of comorbidities.
Presenting Author
Kai Wei PhDGuizhou Provincial People's Hospital
Authors
Chun Chen MS
Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital
Qi Chen PhD
Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital
Libin Wang MS
Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital
Yanping Yang MS
Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital