Eyüp Sami AKBAŞ, Pelin KARACAOĞLU
European Journal of Geriatrics and Gerontology - 2026;8(2):101-107
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of reducing polypharmacy and inappropriate medication use on sleep quality, anxiety levels, and quality of life (QOL) in older adults. The primary objective was to investigate whether reducing the number of medications deemed potentially inappropriate leads to improvements in outcomes, such as sleep quality, anxiety, and QOL. Materials and Methods: This prospective study enrolled sixty-five participants from a geriatric outpatient clinic, aged 65 and older, who were using five or more medications. Participants were followed for 6 months, during which inappropriate medication use was reduced. Assessments of sleep, anxiety, and QOL were performed repeatedly. Results: After 6 months, significant improvements in sleep quality were observed (p < 0.01). Regression analysis showed that a reduction in the number of medications had independent effects on QOL and anxiety (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The study found that reducing the number of medications, particularly inappropriate medications, significantly improved sleep quality in elderly patients. Furthermore, a reduction in the number of medications was identified as an independent risk factor for both QOL and anxiety. This highlights the importance of managing polypharmacy in the care of older adults.
