It has been found that residents of nursing homes have more frequent drug side effects, because they use more drugs than those living in the community. This study was conducted to determine the status of polypharmacy and related factors among the individuals living in a nursing home. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in a nursing home in the provincial centre of Kayseri in 2016. A socio-demographic questionnaire and Standardized Mini Mental Test (SMMT) were used for data collection. A total of 99 participants were included in the study. Chi square test, unpaired t test and one-way ANOVA test (Posthoc Scheffe test) were used for statistical analyses. Results: It was determined that, 58.6% of the study group was male, mean age was 76.0±9.5 years, and 88.9% used at least one kind of medicine. The prevalence rate of polypharmacy was found 59.6%. According to SMMT scores, 66.7% of the participants had cognitive impairment. Prevalence rate of polypharmacy was found 69.0% among the individuals with cognitive impairment. From the standpoint of polypharmacy, statistically significant differences were found between the participants having and not having chronic diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Conclusions: Polypharmacy was determined in more than half of the individuals living in nursing home. Individuals living in nursing homes should be informed about the use of medicines and their medicine use should be closely monitored.
Key words: Nursing home, elderly, polypharmacy, chronic disease, cognitive status
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