Polypharmacy in Young Adults with Chronic Diseases: Are We Medicalizing Too Early?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18843631Keywords:
Polypharmacy, young adults, chronic diseases, multimorbidity, medicalization, medication adherenceAbstract
Polypharmacy, traditionally associated with aging, has increasingly been observed in young adults with chronic diseases. Early diagnosis of metabolic, cardiovascular, inflammatory, and psychiatric conditions, combined with the expansion of pharmacological preventive strategies, has contributed to the simultaneous introduction of multiple medications during the early decades of adulthood. This scenario raises concerns about potential early medicalization and its long-term clinical consequences. The objective was to analyze, through a literature review, the prevalence, associated factors, and clinical implications of polypharmacy in young adults with chronic diseases. This narrative review included a search in PubMed, Scopus, and SciELO databases, selecting studies published within the last ten years involving individuals aged 18 to 45 years. Variables analyzed included prevalence of polypharmacy, multimorbidity, therapeutic adherence, adverse events, and impact on quality of life. A progressive increase in multiple prescriptions was observed in this age group, particularly among individuals with multimorbidity and those followed by multiple specialists. Greater medication burden was associated with increased risk of mild adverse effects, reduced adherence, and higher utilization of healthcare services. In conclusion, polypharmacy in young adults represents a growing and multifactorial phenomenon, demanding rational prescribing strategies, integrated care models, and longitudinal studies to evaluate cumulative effects across the life course.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Gabriela Hitomi Ohara, Ana Clara Rodrigues Caracas Torquato, Caroline Vian Carvalho, Ravilla Alves da Silva
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