Bivariate associations between explanatory variables and polypharmacy status (n=736)
| Characteristic | Total population n (%) | No polypharmacy (0–4 drugs) n (%) | Polypharmacy (5–9 drugs) n (%) | Excessive polypharmacy (≥10 drugs) n (%) | p Value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 736 | 341 | 237 | 158 | ||
| Demographics | |||||
| Gender | |||||
| Male | 330 | 163 (49.4) | 101 (30.6) | 66 (20.0) | 0.334 |
| Female | 406 | 178 (43.8) | 136 (33.5) | 92 (22.7) | |
| Age group (years) | |||||
| 40–49 | 266 | 142 (53.4) | 74 (27.8) | 50 (18.8) | <0.001 |
| 50–64 | 336 | 160 (47.6) | 113 (33.6) | 63 (18.8) | |
| ≥65 | 134 | 39 (29.1) | 50 (37.3) | 45 (33.5) | |
| Level of ID (n=682) | |||||
| Mild | 163 | 100 (61.3) | 35 (22.1) | 28 (17.2) | |
| Moderate | 316 | 161 (50.9) | 93 (29.4) | 62 (19.6) | |
| Severe/profound | 203 | 47 (23.1) | 96 (47.3) | 60 (29.6) | |
| Residential setting | <0.001 | ||||
| Independent | 122 | 106 (86.8) | 18 (14.8) | 5 (4.1) | |
| Community group home | 265 | 151 (57.0) | 83 (31.3) | 33 (12.5) | |
| Residential institution | 349 | 100 (28.7) | 136 (39.0) | 120 (34.4) | |
| Drug use (mean±SD) | 5.8 (±4.4) | 2.1±1.4 | 6.7±1.5 | 12.6±2.4 | <0.001 |
| Chronic diseases | |||||
| Eye condition* | 380 (51.6) | 265 (69.7) | 111(29.2) | 74 (19.5) | 0.032 |
| Mental health | 356 (48.0) | 103 (28.9) | 142 (39.9) | 111 (31.2) | <0.001 |
| Neurological | 268 (35.0) | 70 (26.4) | 110 (41.0) | 88 (32.9) | <0.001 |
| Gastrointestinal | 198 (26.9) | 50 (25.2) | 71 (35.9) | 77 (38.9) | <0.001 |
| Joint disease | 153 (20.8) | 50 (32.7) | 59 (38.6) | 44 (28.8) | <0.001 |
| Endocrine disease | 162 (22.0) | 57 (35.2) | 56 (34.6) | 49 (30.2) | <0.001 |
| Hypertension | 112 (15.2) | 32 (28.6) | 42 (37.5) | 38 (33.9) | <0.001 |
| Heart disease | 89 (12.1) | 32 (36.0) | 30 (33.7) | 27 (30.3) | 0.024 |
| Reported pain (n=714) | 334 | 83 (24.9) | 82 (24.6) | 73 (21.8) | <0.001 |
Bold typeface indicates significant values (p<0.05). *Eye conditions included age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, cataract surgery or other eye disease.