[Is smoking a determinant of polypharmacy among elderly subject?].

Polypharmacy is a risk factor for functional impairment in elderly subjects. The description of its determinants seems to be important as the tool for the protection against disability. The aim of the study was to answer the question whether cigarette smoking is a determinant of polypharmacy in advanced aged. The analyzed sample consisted of 150 elderly inhabitants, 93 women of different cities in western Poland (mean age: 72.3+/-6.7 years). Based on specially prepared questionnaire cigarette smoking habit was analyzed as well as the quantitative and qualitative aspects of pharmacotherapy. All studied subjects were divided into two groups: group A former and current smokers (80 subjects, 34 women) and group B - non-smokers (70 subjects, 59 women). The analyzed subjects consumed 6,0+/-3,2 drugs on average (4.9+/-2.5 prescribed drugs and 1.2+/-1.5 over-the-counter. As far as the number of drugs is concerned there was no difference between group A and group B (6.2+/-3.4; 5.1+/-2.6 and 1.0+/-1.5 vs. 5.9+/-3.0; 4.6+/-2.5 and 1.3+/-1.6, respectively). Also, the qualitative analysis was comparable. In conclusion, in analyzed subjects cigarette smoking was not a determinant of polypharmacy. Further studies are necessary to prove this observation and to explain its causes.