Prevalencia y factores asociados de la polifarmacia en pacientes con deterioro cognitivo leve

Introduction: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older adults is associated with increased medication use, raising the risk of adverse effects and drug interactions. Chronic comorbidities, such as hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus (DM), and obesity, are common and contribute to polypharmacy in this population. Objective: To assess the prevalence of polypharmacy in patients with MCI and analyze its relationship with comorbidities such as HTN, DM, and obesity. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, observational, and quantitative study was conducted on 110 MCI patients from the INTERCOG project. Clinical and sociodemographic data were collected through surveys. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were applied to evaluate the association between polypharmacy and comorbidities. Inclusion criteria: adults over 60 years with confirmed MCI; patients with terminal illness or severe cognitive impairment were excluded. Results:A total of 19.61% presented polypharmacy (use of five or more medications), with over 60% in prolonged use. The most associated comorbidities were HTN (OR: 6.36; p = 0.017) and DM (p < 0.001). Additionally, a higher body mass index increased the risk of polypharmacy. No significant associations were found with age or sex. Conclusion:Polypharmacy is common in MCI patients and is strongly associated with chronic comorbidities, highlighting the need for comprehensive management. Interdisciplinary intervention is essential to optimize treatments, improve adherence, and reduce complications. Future longitudinal studies should evaluate the impact of reducing the pharmacological burden in this population.