Association of medication use with falls among older adults

Pharmacy Practice

  • Ardiana Murtezani1Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Kosova., 2Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Clinic, University Clinical Center of Kosova, Prishtina, Kosova.
  • Zana Ibraimi3Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Kosova.
  • Nerimane Abazi2Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Clinic, University Clinical Center of Kosova, Prishtina, Kosova.
  • Diana Kolgeci2Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Clinic, University Clinical Center of Kosova, Prishtina, Kosova.
  • Driton Shabani3Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Kosova.

Volume 23 Issue 2 Pages 1-7

DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2025.2.3260

Abstract

Introduction: Falls are an increasing public health problem because of ageing populations worldwide. One-third of people aged over 65 years live with comorbidities and take five or more regular medicines (polypharmacy). There is clear evidence that polypharmacy and the use of psychotropic drugs as well as in combination with cardiovascular medications increase the risk of falls. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore how polypharmacy, defined by the number of medications used is associated with the incidence of falls and related consequences and to examine associations with fall risk-increasing drugs (FRIDs) use with falls. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of 125 residents from nursing homes. Data collection and clinical assessments for the present study was conducted between June 1 2024 and October 15 2024. The participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire, which contained questions on demographic, lifestyle, and medical variables. Participant characteristics were described for the whole group and subgroups were categorized according to fallers and non-fallers. Primary outcome measures were incidence of falls as well as numbers of FRIDs in fallers and non-fallers. Results: The mean age of the participants was 76.52 (SD 7.83) years and 66% of included patients were women. The most frequent number of falls within the previous 6 months was 1 (IQR 1–2). Twenty-six percent of these patients reported at least one fall in the six months prior to the evaluation. More women (N = 49) reported falls during the past six months as compared to men (N = 18), but this difference was not significant, χ2 (4, N = 125) = 6.79, p = .15. A multiple linear regression analyses showed positive associations between the number of FRIDs and the total number of prescribed drugs and falls. Conclusion: Older age and medications were associated with increased incidence of falls. Fallers had a higher number of FRIDs. Numbers of FRIDs were associated with the total number of drugs dispensed and falls.

Keywords

  • falls
  • elderly
  • nursing homes
  • medications
  • FRIDs
Pharmacy Practice

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