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. 2021 Nov 1;181(11):1528-1530.
doi: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2021.3775.

Use of High-risk Medications Among Lonely Older Adults: Results From a Nationally Representative Sample

Ashwin A Kotwal  1   2 , Michael A Steinman  1   2 , Irena Cenzer  1 , Alexander K Smith  1   2
Affiliations

Use of High-risk Medications Among Lonely Older Adults: Results From a Nationally Representative Sample

Ashwin A Kotwal et al. JAMA Intern Med. .

Abstract

This cross-sectional study investigates the relationship between loneliness and high-risk medication use in adults older than 65 years.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Dr Kotwal reported grants from the National Institute on Aging, the National Palliative Care Research Center, and the Hellman Family Foundation during the conduct of the study; and grants from Metta Fund and Humana Inc outside the submitted work. Dr Steinman reported grants from the National Institutes of Health Research Center, Network, and K24 during the conduct of the study; personal fees from UpToDate Royalties for authoring a chapter in UpToDate and personal fees from American Geriatrics Society Honoraria for serving as co-chair of the American Geriatrics Society Beers Criteria Guideline Panel outside the submitted work. No other disclosures were reported.

Figures

Figure.
Figure.. Adjusted Probability of Medication Use by Loneliness Level
NSAIDs indicates nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Adjusted probabilities were derived from multivariate logistic regression models adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, and multimorbidity (2 or more medical conditions, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart failure, arthritis, cancer, metastatic cancer, diabetes, emphysema, asthma, prior stroke, or dementia). P values represent an overall test of trend. Bars represent 95% CIs. Loneliness is measured using the 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale (range: 0-6 points; no loneliness: 0 points, mild/moderate loneliness: 1-3 points, high loneliness: 4-6 points). Medication classes were defined using a proprietary drug database (Lexicon Plus; Cerner Multum). Polypharmacy was defined as ≥5 medications (not including dietary supplements or vitamins).
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