Medicines use and polypharmacy in retirement village residents in Aotearoa New Zealand: a point prevalence observational study

Introduction Polypharmacy increases the risk of medicines-related harm, including falls, in older adults. Falls have a significant impact on quality of life and health system resources. Little is known about medicine use in retirement village (RV) residents in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ).Aim Our study aimed to describe medicine use and the point prevalence of polypharmacy among a cohort of RV residents in Auckland, NZ.Methods Data collection occurred from July 2016 to June 2018. Eligible participants (those residing permanently in a RV) were recruited from RVs in Auckland, New Zealand. Medicines use data were collected using an interRAI assessment tool. Descriptive statistics, t-tests and Chi-squared tests were used for analysis.Results A total of 578 residents were recruited from 33 RVs and the median age was 81.6 years. Participants took a mean of 4.8 regular medicines (standard deviation = 2.9) and 0.7 'as required' medicines. Anti-hypertensives (68.5%), lipid-lowering medicines (45.2%), antacids (39.4%) and antiplatelet agents (37.9%) were the most prescribed medicine classes. Polypharmacy (five-plus medicines; 51.8%) was common and hyperpolypharmacy (10-plus medicines; 5.7%) occurred infrequently.Discussion This study provides insight into medicines use by RV residents in Auckland, NZ. Medicines used for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease were used most commonly and polypharmacy was common. Active review of RV residents' medicines is warranted, based on these findings and increasing evidence regarding the use of medicines, including those for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.Trial registration Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: CTRN12616000685415. Registered 25.5.2016. Universal Trial Number (UTN): U111-1173-6083. What is already known: Older people commonly take medicines to improve their health, however medicines can also be harmful. Little is known about medicines use in retirement village residents in Aotearoa New Zealand. What this study adds:Our findings, along with new information about medicine use in 'oldest' age, suggest that retirement village residents may benefit from talking to their health professional about their medicines to see if they are still the right medicines for them.