Polypharmacy and drug interactions in the management of rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that often necessitates combination therapy. The presence of comorbidities, frequently observed in rheumatoid arthritis patients, can further increase the number of medications required, raising the risk of drug-to-drug interactions.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of polypharmacy and identify potential drug-to-drug interactions in rheumatoid arthritis patients using the MedScape® digital platform.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 370 rheumatoid arthritis patients. Data on epidemiological characteristics, comorbidities, and the number of medications used during treatment were collected. The MedScape® platform was employed to assess potential drug-to-drug interactions.

Results: Polypharmacy was observed in 81.1% of the patients, with a higher prevalence among older individuals and those with multiple comorbidities. The MedScape® platform identified 2,018 potential drug-to-drug interactions in the sample, of which 27.5% were mild, 54.4% moderate, and 17.8% severe. Severe interactions frequently involved combinations of antirheumatic drugs.

Conclusions: Polypharmacy is highly prevalent in rheumatoid arthritis treatment, particularly in patients with comorbidities, increasing the risk of clinically significant drug-to-drug interactions. Physicians should remain vigilant in monitoring for potential interactions and adopt strategies to mitigate the risks, such as regular medication reviews and utilizing digital platforms to support clinical decision-making. This approach is critical to optimizing patient safety and treatment outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis care.