Medication safety in older adults in India: an integrative PhD synthesis of direct evidence and contextual implementation evidence.

In 30 seconds

This systematic review synthesizes evidence on medication safety among older adults in India, highlighting issues like polypharmacy and inappropriate prescribing. The study found that one-third of older adults experienced polypharmacy, with risks heightened by multimorbidity and care transitions. Deprescribing did not significantly increase adverse outcomes, but evidence quality was low.

Key findings

• One-third of older adults in a multicity study had polypharmacy.
• Polypharmacy was linked to higher anticholinergic burden and cardiac autonomic neuropathy.
• Deprescribing showed no significant increase in mortality or hospitalization.
• Informal-provider interventions may enhance medication-related practices.

Why it matters

Understanding medication safety in older adults is crucial for improving health outcomes, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where complex health needs and care systems can lead to unsafe practices.