A University of Michigan study has found that more than 82% of Americans aged 50 to 80 take one or more prescription medications, and 80% of them would consider stopping one or more of these drugs if their healthcare provider approved.
However, researchers caution that reducing medication isn’t always straightforward.
The study, published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, uses data from the U-M National Poll on Healthy Aging and expands on a previous poll report from April 2023.
It emphasizes the importance of healthcare providers and pharmacists discussing the individual’s situation to determine if “deprescribing” is appropriate.
Approximately 30% of older adults taking medications for cardiovascular disease or diabetes expressed interest in deprescribing these medications.
This interest may stem from the fact that these drugs often manage symptomless risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar.
While these medications are essential for preventing future health crises, patients might not immediately feel their benefits, leading to questions about their necessity.
On the other hand, older adults taking medications for symptomatic conditions like arthritis pain, mental health issues, and respiratory problems showed less interest in stopping these drugs.
Sarah Vordenberg, the study’s lead author and a clinical associate professor at the U-M College of Pharmacy, highlighted the need for comprehensive medication reviews.
These reviews involve examining all the medicines and supplements a person takes and identifying opportunities to safely reduce dosages, costs, and the number of daily medications.
Medicare covers these appointments for eligible enrollees, but many older adults do not take advantage of this option.
The study delves into specific conditions of the respondents:
- Cardiovascular Conditions: 84% of respondents taking at least one prescription medication reported having a cardiovascular condition, with 35% open to stopping at least one of their cardiovascular medications.
- Diabetes: 29% of respondents taking at least one medication had diabetes, and 30% of them were open to stopping one of their diabetes medications.
- Arthritis: Nearly 50% of respondents taking prescription medications reported having arthritis, but only 17% were open to stopping a medication for that condition.
- Mental Health and Cognitive Conditions: 22% of respondents taking prescription medications had a brain-related condition, with 19% open to stopping a medication for it.
- Lung Disease: 11% of prescription drug users had a lung disease such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with the same percentage open to stopping a drug for it.
Dr. Jeffrey Kullgren, an associate professor of internal medicine at Michigan Medicine and a researcher at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, emphasized the importance of regular, open discussions between patients and providers about medication use.
With evolving guidelines for cardiovascular and diabetes medications and the rise of direct-to-consumer services for drugs like GLP-1 inhibitors, these conversations are crucial.
Dr. Kullgren also stressed the importance of healthcare providers being aware of all medications and supplements their patients are taking, regardless of how they are obtained.
This comprehensive knowledge is vital for making informed decisions about deprescribing and ensuring patient safety.
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The research findings can be found in J. General Internal Medicine.
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