Aging is associated with an increase in the number of age-associated comorbidities and health needs. Acquisition of a variety of symptoms and diseases along with the implementation of several guidelines by many different health providers and specialties often results in the use of multiple medications of different types and classes and numerous, usually unrecognized drug interactions. Clearly, the physiological changes of aging, sarcopenia, frailty and age-related cognitive decline, place the older patient at greater risk for adverse events and complications from multiple drug therapy. The recognition of polypharmacy and its challenges to the health and quality of life of older people is essential in providing appropriate health care to this subpopulation. Improved ways of rational deprescribing should be achieved through permanent education, clinical expertise and good research. The regular re-evaluation of drug treatment regimens and an active approach to de-prescribing should be an integral component of all Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and the health care of the older patient.
In this Research Topic, we welcome the submission of Original Research, Reviews, Mini-reviews, Case Reports, Clinical Trials, and Opinion articles, that explore innovative applications and strategies within the field of polypharmacy and deprescribing. Specific themes we are interested in addressing include (but are not limited to):
• Physiological aspects affecting drug therapy in the older person.
• The assessment and definition of Inappropriate Medication Use.
• The incidence and prevalence of polypharmacy in the older population.
• The association of geriatric syndromes and comorbidity with polypharmacy.
• The benefits of de-prescribing in the older patient and methods for achieving it.
• Attitudes and acceptability of de-prescribing by older people and caregivers.
• The use of de-prescribing in acute care, primary care and in nursing homes.
• Future directions in preventing and treating polypharmacy.
By sharing your research and insights, we believe we can build a body of work that significantly forwards progress in this vital area of geriatric care.
Keywords:
Polypharmacy, De-prescribing, Aging, Multimorbidity, Quality of Life
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Aging is associated with an increase in the number of age-associated comorbidities and health needs. Acquisition of a variety of symptoms and diseases along with the implementation of several guidelines by many different health providers and specialties often results in the use of multiple medications of different types and classes and numerous, usually unrecognized drug interactions. Clearly, the physiological changes of aging, sarcopenia, frailty and age-related cognitive decline, place the older patient at greater risk for adverse events and complications from multiple drug therapy. The recognition of polypharmacy and its challenges to the health and quality of life of older people is essential in providing appropriate health care to this subpopulation. Improved ways of rational deprescribing should be achieved through permanent education, clinical expertise and good research. The regular re-evaluation of drug treatment regimens and an active approach to de-prescribing should be an integral component of all Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and the health care of the older patient.
In this Research Topic, we welcome the submission of Original Research, Reviews, Mini-reviews, Case Reports, Clinical Trials, and Opinion articles, that explore innovative applications and strategies within the field of polypharmacy and deprescribing. Specific themes we are interested in addressing include (but are not limited to):
• Physiological aspects affecting drug therapy in the older person.
• The assessment and definition of Inappropriate Medication Use.
• The incidence and prevalence of polypharmacy in the older population.
• The association of geriatric syndromes and comorbidity with polypharmacy.
• The benefits of de-prescribing in the older patient and methods for achieving it.
• Attitudes and acceptability of de-prescribing by older people and caregivers.
• The use of de-prescribing in acute care, primary care and in nursing homes.
• Future directions in preventing and treating polypharmacy.
By sharing your research and insights, we believe we can build a body of work that significantly forwards progress in this vital area of geriatric care.
Keywords:
Polypharmacy, De-prescribing, Aging, Multimorbidity, Quality of Life
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.