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. 2022 Jun;13(3):579-583.
doi: 10.1007/s41999-021-00573-6. Epub 2021 Oct 21.

Medication-related quality of life (MRQoL) in ambulatory older adults with multi-morbidity and polypharmacy

Emma L M Jennings  1   2 , Denis O'Mahony  3   4 , Paul F Gallagher  3   5
Affiliations

Medication-related quality of life (MRQoL) in ambulatory older adults with multi-morbidity and polypharmacy

Emma L M Jennings et al. Eur Geriatr Med. 2022 Jun.

Abstract

Purpose: To assess medication-related quality-of-life (MRQoL) in multi-morbid older adults with polypharmacy and correlations with medications, frailty and health-related QoL.

Methods: With a cross sectional study of multi-morbid geriatric medicine outpatients, we assessed MRQoL (MRQol-LSv1), frailty status, potentially inappropriate medications, Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS), health-related-QoL (Short-Form 12, SF12) and medication burden (Living with Medicines Questionnaire, LMQv2).

Results: One-in-four (n = 59) of 234 outpatient attendees met inclusion criteria. Almost half (n = 106, 45%) were excluded due to cognition (MMSE < 26). Included participants (n = 27, mean age 80.2 years) experienced a median of 11 (IQR 9-13.5) co-morbidities and were prescribed a median of 10 (IQR 8-12.25) medications. Overall, MRQoL-LS.v.1 scores were low, suggesting good medication-related quality of life (median MRQoL-LS.v.1 score of 14, IQR 14-22). Correlations between MRQoL, number of daily medications, co-morbidity burden, LMQv2 score, SF12 scores and number of PIMs were non-significant.

Conclusion: MRQoL-LSv.1 is unsuitable for most patients attending geriatric ambulatory services.

Keywords: Multimorbidity; Older person; Polypharmacy; Quality of life.

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Conflict of interest statement

(Include appropriate disclosures)—authors Dr. Paul Gallagher and Professor Denis O’Mahony are co-authors of the STOPP/START v.2 criteria utilised in this study. There are no conflicts of interest to report by any of the authors.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow diagram of patient selection
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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