Elderly patients with multimorbidity in the home setting: umbrella review on therapeutic non-adherence causes

G. Liquori, S. Dionisi, N. Giannetta, E. Di Simone, A. De Leo, N. Panattoni, F. Ricciardi, A. Grieco, G.B. Orsi, M. Di Muzio

Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Tor Vergata University of Rome, Rome, Italy. emanuele.disimone@uniroma1.it

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• Geriatrics

OBJECTIVE: The elderly population is the most at risk regarding adherence, especially in the coexistence of multiple diseases. This study aims to detect factors contributing to therapeutic non-adherence in elderly patients in home settings.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review protocol was developed to conduct the umbrella review using the methodological framework of the Richardson et al study. The search strategy was developed in December 2022 to conduct a systematic search and to perform an Umbrella Review of systematic reviews, meta-analyses and integrative reviews published from 2012 to 2022 in English.

RESULTS: A total of 26,038 articles were identified and screened. 18 relevant articles were included in the study.

CONCLUSIONS: Therapeutic adherence in elderly patients with comorbidities in polypharmacotherapy at home is a significant problem in public health and health care. Several factors of non-adherence have been identified in the studies reviewed, confirming that the problem is multifactorial. Reducing the number of medications prescribed would appear optimal, although often not possible, as this has been seen to have an immediate positive impact. A multidisciplinary approach makes it possible not to fragment care, ensuring positive feedback on therapeutic adherence.

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