Polypharmacy in an Older Female: Thoughtful Deprescribing

Abstract The magnitude of polypharmacy is on the rise as the global population faces a demographic shift with a larger proportion of older people, along with a marked increase in the prevalence of multimorbidity. An 85-year-old woman with diabetes mellitus, systemic hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic depression, parkinsonism, and dementia presented with inappropriate polypharmacy, taking 32 medications. Comprehensive medication reconciliation was performed using the Discuss, Review, Use tools, Geriatric medicine approach, and Stop medication guide, assessing appropriateness based on Beers Criteria. Goals of care were established through shared decision-making, focusing on reducing her pill burden and relaxing treatment targets for blood pressure and glycated hemoglobin. The patient was ultimately prescribed 13 medications. This case highlights the importance of tailored, patient-centered approaches in managing polypharmacy and chronic conditions in older adults to improve overall health outcomes.