Table 5 Determinants of polypharmacy - multinomial logistic regression (reference 0–4 medicines; N = 2119), Belgium, 2008

Gender

 Males

 Females

(0.91–1.40)

(0.83–1.71)

Age

 65–69

 70–74

(0.89–1.92)

(0.74–3.06)

 75–79

(0.94–2.02)

(0.86–3.34)

 > = 80

(1.29–2.45)

(1.15–3.77)

Education

 No degree/Primary

(1.07–2.15)

(0.75–2.31)

 Lower secondary

(0.83–1.71)

(0.64–2.13)

 Higher secondary

(0.84–1.67)

(0.66–2.13)

 Higher education

Equivalent household income in quintiles

 1

(0.63–1.45)

(0.79–3.31)

 2

(0.70–1.55)

(0.66–2.60)

 3

(0.82–1.83)

(0.68–2.90)

 4

(0.56–1.39)

(0.55–2.62)

 5

Living situation

 Living at home

 Living in a residential home for the elderly

(0.71–1.65)

(0.92–3.05)

Region

 Flemish Region

 Brussels Region

(0.81–1.39)

(0.66–1.77)

 Walloon Region

(1.17–1.88)

(1.71–3.85)

Depression < 12 months

 Yes

(1.02–2.33)

(2.03–5.97)

 No

Longstanding disease, condition or handicap

 Yes

(1.97–3.05)

(3.58–8.98)

 No

Contact with GP in past 2 months

 Yes

(2.14–3.98)

(2.32–9.61)

 No

Ambulatory contact with specialist in past 2 months

 Yes

(0.93–1.51)

(1.09–2.28)

 No

Inpatient hospitalization in past 12 months

 Yes

(1.05–1.77)

(1.51–3.20)

 No

Day patient hospitalization in past 12 months

 Yes

(0.74–1.47)

(0.62–1.86)

 No