J Korean Acad Fundam Nurs.  2006 Apr;13(1):60-67.

Medication Use as a Risk Factor for Falls among Hospitalized Stroke Patients

• Sohng KY
• Cho OH
• Park MH

Abstract

PURPOSE: To identify the relationship between medication use and falls among hospitalized stroke patients. METHOD: The medical records of 472 patients with strokes were reviewed using a questionnaire on falling developed by the authors. Frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, and t-test and chi-square-test, multiple logistic regression analysis were done using the SAS program.
RESULTS
The rate for falls by the patients during their stay in the hospital was 14.0%. The length of stay was longer and the morbidity duration of stroke shorter in the fall group than in the non-fall group. The use of sedatives, laxatives, and antidepressants was a significant predictor of falls and was associated with increase likelihood of falling(1.82, 1.81, 1.75 times respectively).
CONCLUSION
In hospitalized stroke patients, there was a significant association between the use of sedatives, laxatives, antidepressants and falls. The number and kinds of ingested drugs was also associated with falls. It is necessary to further analyze the causes of falls based on results of the present study.

Keyword

Accidental falls; Analgesics; Sedatives; Laxatives; Stroke

MeSH Terms

Accidental Falls
Analgesics
Antidepressive Agents
Humans
Hypnotics and Sedatives
Laxatives
Length of Stay
Logistic Models
Medical Records
Surveys and Questionnaires
Risk Factors*
Stroke*
Analgesics
Antidepressive Agents
Hypnotics and Sedatives
Laxatives