Mortality Consequences of Guideline-Recommended Drugs in Older Patients with Multiple Chronic Conditions

Many elders have multiple chronic conditions and take at least one prescription drug for each of these conditions. However, benefits of drugs prescribed for individual conditions might be affected by the presence of other conditions and drugs. In this population-based cohort study, investigators examined associations between use of guideline-recommended drugs and all-cause mortality in 8600 Medicare patients (median age, 77) who had ≥2 of 9 chronic conditions associated with elevated risk for death.

During median follow-up of 24 months, 15% of participants died. Use of β-blockers was associated with lower risk for all-cause death in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), coronary artery disease (CAD), heart failure (HF), or hypertension. Us…