Objective: To determine the extent and rate of drug use and to evaluate the
patterns of drug use over time in a very elderly population, we analysed d
rug use data from phases I (1987-1989) and IV (1994-1996) of the Kungsholme
n project, an ongoing longitudinal study on aging in Stockholm, Sweden.
Study Participants: Complete drug information was obtained from 1001 subjec
ts in the 1987-1989 study period, and 681 subjects in 1994-1996. The partic
ipants were predominantly women and the average age was 85.8 years in 1987-
1989 and 86.9 years in 1994-1996.
Results: The proportion of users increased from 87.6 to 94.1% and the overa
ll average number of drugs used per subject increased significantly (p < 0.
001) from 3.4 to 4.6. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were noted in all
age groups and in all types of housing. The frequency of use increased for
all classes of drugs. The most frequently used in both study periods were d
rugs for the nervous system, cardiovascular system, and alimentary tract an
d metabolism. With regard to therapeutic categories of drugs, the use of vi
tamins, antithrombotic agents, antianaemic preparations, ACE inhibitors, an
tibacterials, analgesics, psychoanaleptics, and antiglaucoma preparations i
ncreased significantly (p < 0.05). The increased use of these drugs indicat
ed heightened awareness of the most common and preventable medical conditio
ns affecting the elderly and the use of newer classes of drugs. This also s
tudy confirmed a high prevalence of drug use and polypharmacy even in the v
ery elderly, and the importance of evaluating the effects and appropriatene
ss of drug use in this population.