Introduction:

Polypharmacy and inappropriate prescribing have been related to multiple variables, including sociodemographic, however the evidence is limited and heterogeneous.

Objective:

To evaluate the association between polypharmacy and inappropriate prescribing in adults over 60 years old according to their social class.

Material and methods:

A pilot cross-sectional population-based study in the city of Bucaramanga, Colombia, with a sample of 135 adults over 60 years old. A survey was conducted where sociodemographics, health status in the last month, comorbidities, drugs of chronic use and functionality according to scales were registered.

Results:

No statistical association was found between inappropriate prescribing and Polypharmacy amongst social class and education level (P=0.639). Nevertheless, having an affiliation with a subsidized social security system was significantly associated with infra prescription (P <0.029). The existence of monthly income was associated with the presence of polypharmacy (P <0.029) and inadequate prescribing (P <0.033).

Conclusions:

There exists an association between some socioeconomic variables, the number of practicing physicians and some medical specialties with polypharmacy and inadequate prescription of drugs.