Polypharmacy and health-related quality of life among patients with gastrointestinal chronic disease

Abstract

Patients with chronic diseases of gastrointestinal tract, liver and pancreas predominate over patients with acute and infectious diseases, and their prevalence is rising. Because chronically ill patients tend to have a higher risk of multiple morbidity, polypharmacy, defined as the use of 5 or more medications, is common. The association between polypharmacy and low health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has been documented for single health conditions such as arthritis, end-stage kidney disease, and cardiometabolic risk factors.