How is Polypharmacy Measured in Epidemiological Studies?
Epidemiologists measure polypharmacy using various metrics, including the total number of medications, the presence of potentially inappropriate medications as defined by criteria such as the Beers Criteria, and the duration of medication use. Data is typically gathered through patient self-reports, prescription records, and electronic health records. These measures help quantify the extent of polypharmacy and identify at-risk populations.
