Desafios dos profissionais da atenção básica em relação à polifarmácia e à polimorbidade em idosos

This article is a narrative review that sought to discuss the polypharmacy and the challenges in assisting the elderly who have two or more chronic noncommunicable diseases (CNCDs), such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and rheumatic diseases, characterizing the polymorbidity. In addition, it addressed the formation of a multidisciplinary team with knowledge in geriatrics as a way to assist self-care and decrease polymorbidity and polypharmacy, enabling an improvement in the quality of life for the elderly. Thus, it is observed that the lack of interaction between health levels and sporadic average care results in a poor prognosis for the patient. It should also be considered that polypharmacy brings an association of drugs that can cause adverse reactions and symptoms that point to some type of illness, but that are the result of indiscriminate use of medication, requiring that new drugs be associated to control the symptoms found and worsening the patient's health status. Finally, it is noted that the social organization of the work of the health professional in conjunction with the limitations of health professionals performance provides a low quality of life during the senescence process.