老化科学ジャーナル

概要

Drug-Induced Nutrient Deficiencies Among Older Adults

Eiji Kose, Nobuhiro Yasuno

The relationship between polypharmacy and malnutrition is based on several mechanisms. Long-term abuse ofmultiple drugs results in anorexia, which generally causes minor or more serious impairment of the digestive tract.Conversely, malnutrition often decreases the biological availability of drugs and changes their pharmacokinetic andpharmacodynamic properties. Polypharmacy and malnutrition are significant geriatric syndromes that need to beassessed and treated in all older adults; furthermore, they must be evaluated together rather than separately.Practitioners should be aware of the potential impact of individual medication classes as well as extremepolypharmacy on nutritional status and work to reduce the impact through targeted interventions.