Association between polypharmacy and perceived multidimensional social support in geriatric patients with minor trauma

Objectives

This study aimed to examine the relationship between polypharmacy, perceived social support, and medication adherence among geriatric patients presenting to the emergency department with minor trauma.

Methods

A total of 72 geriatric individuals (≥65 years) presenting with minor trauma were included. Participants completed the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 (MMAS-8; coded so that higher scores indicate poorer adherence) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Sociodemographic characteristics, living arrangement, place of residence, and medication use were recorded.

Results

The mean age was 78.0 ± 7.82 years, and 54.2% of participants were female. The mean MMAS-8 score was 1.69 ± 2.38 (median = 0), indicating a highly right-skewed distribution. Medication adherence did not differ significantly across medication-count categories or by polypharmacy status (all P > 0.05), although MMAS-8 scores were numerically lower among participants with polypharmacy (≥5 medications). Perceived social support was substantially lower among participants living alone (all MSPSS subscales, P ≤ 0.001). MMAS-8 scores showed a weak negative correlation with family support (rₛ = −0.243; P = 0.040), whereas correlations with significant-other support and total support were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Higher educational attainment was associated with higher perceived social support.

Conclusions

Among older adults presenting with minor trauma, perceived social support – particularly family support –was associated with better medication adherence, while living alone was linked to substantially lower support. The observed trend toward better adherence in the polypharmacy group should be interpreted cautiously. Multidisciplinary approaches integrating medication review and attention to social support may be beneficial in both emergency and primary care settings.