In what patient population is polypharmacy most frequently seen?

Polypharmacy, which refers to the use of multiple medications by a patient, is most frequently seen in elderly patients. This tendency is largely attributable to several factors inherent to this population.

As individuals age, they often develop multiple chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and arthritis, which typically require various treatments. Additionally, the elderly may visit multiple healthcare providers who prescribe separate medications that can lead to overlapping treatments or drug interactions.

Moreover, age-related physiological changes can influence how the body processes medications, increasing the risk of adverse effects and complicating management. Because older adults are more likely to experience issues related to compliance, side effects, and potential drug interactions, the phenomenon of polypharmacy becomes particularly concerning in this demographic.

In contrast, other populations such as teenagers, newborns, and middle-aged adults generally do not have the same prevalence of chronic diseases or the complex health needs that typically result in polypharmacy. This contributes to the observed higher rates of polypharmacy in the elderly, making this group the most frequently affected by this issue.