Abstract
Objective
to analyze the factors associated with the use of psychotropic drugs by older adults with hypertension treated in primary care.
Method
a cross-sectional study was carried out in a city in the northwest of the state of Paraná, Brazil. Data collection was carried out with older adults in the first semester of 2016, using an adapted validated instrument for assessing satisfaction with Primary Health Care services. The logistic regression model was used with the stepwise method and the magnitude of the associations was estimated by calculating Prevalence Ratio (PR).
Results
260 older adults with hypertension participated in the study, of which 25.4% were in use of psychotropic drugs, most were aged 60-69 years (48.8%) and female (67.3%). The multivariate analysis showed psychotropic drugs use was more prevalent in participants who used tobacco (PR: 4.09; 95%CI: 1.81–9.18), had abnormal waist circumference (PR: 2.58; 95%CI %: 1.29–5.18), were obese (PR: 2.43; 95%CI: 1.30–4.55) and reported side-effects of drugs used in AH treatment (PR: 2, 98; 95%CI: 1.23-7.21). Regarding the organizational and relational aspects of the family health strategy teams, participants with hypertension and in use of psychotropic drugs had a higher rate of dissatisfaction with the service (PR: 6.71; 95%CI: 1.37–32, 71) and with lack of support and understanding of the problems reported during consultations (PR: 2.17; 95%CI: 1.11–4.25).
Conclusions
As a public health problem that affects a significant contingent of the elderly population at high risk of health problems, further studies should be conducted in this area. Future studies should seek alternatives to improve the quality of life of elderly with comorbidities and in use of psychotropic drugs through comprehensive care.
Keywords
Elderly; Hypertension; Psychotropics Drugs; Drug Prescriptions; Drug Therappy; Primary Health Care