Abstract:
Background The number of elderly diabetic patients increases rapidly with the aggravation of social aging, multi- diseases coexistence and polypharmacy is common in elderly diabetic patients. Strengthening rational drug use can effectively reduce clinical adverse events/outcomes. Objective To understand the characteristics and rules of polypharmacy including hypoglycemic, antihypertensive, lipid-lowering, antiplatelet agents in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes, so as to provide reference for promoting rational medication. Methods A retrospective analysis was used for the polypharmacy of 240 elderly patients with type 2 diabetes who were hospitalized in the endocrinology department of the hospital from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2022. Results The elderly patients with type 2 diabetes had an average of 13.82 diseases with the polypharmacy rate at 89.17%, including 16.48 kinds of drugs during hospitalization and 8.21 kinds of long-term drugs after discharge. 90% of the patients received hypoglycemic therapy, of which 44.91% and 62.04% were separately administrated with single-agent hypoglycemic therapy and insulin therapy. 76.25% of the patients received antihypertensive therapy, of which 44.26% and 79.23% were given single-drug hypotensive therapy and Calcium channel blockers, respectively. 77.92% of the patients received lipid-lowering therapy, of which 83.42% took atorvastatin. 48.75% of the patients took antiplatelet drugs, of which 77.78% used aspirin. 35.29% of patients received hypoglycemic, antihypertensive, lipid-lowering, and antiplatelet therapy at the same time. Conclusion Multiple medication is common in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. Medical staff have conducted a relatively comprehensive assessment and high comprehensive management rate for elderly patients with diabetes. However, there are still certain unreasonable selection and combination of some drugs.