As patients with rheumatic musculoskeletal disease age, the number of medications they take may increase (i.e., polypharmacy), which can result in unwanted side effects and serious adverse effects. Lee et al. offer considerations and insights into caring for aging patients in a polypharmacy situation to better meet their health and lifestyle needs.
ATLANTA—In a session at the 2019 ACR/ARP Annual Meeting, Susan Chrostowski, DNP, assistant clinical professor at Texas Woman’s University College of Nursing, Dallas, told the audience that she’d had a visit with a patient and asked how he was doing. “Not too good,” he said, explaining that his chest hurt. “What’s the matter with your…
(Reuters Health)—The proportion of older Americans taking at least five medications or supplements went up in a recent study. The increase in people using multiple medications paralleled an increase in the number of older Americans at risk for major drug interactions, researchers found. “That’s a concern from a public health standpoint, because it’s getting worse,”…