J Korean Biol Nurs Sci.  2022 Aug;24(3):161-170. 10.7586/jkbns.2022.24.3.161.

Polypharmacy and Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use in Elderly Patients Hospitalized after Falls

• Kim JY
• Choi S

• KMID: 2532798
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7586/jkbns.2022.24.3.161

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use in elderly patients admitted to hospitals after falls.
Methods
The study surveyed 283 patients 65 or older admitted January 1-December 31, 2016. Data were collected from electronic medical records, and medications administered immediately prior to admission were examined. PIM use for patients was investigated using the Beers criteria, and data were analyzed by Chi-square test and independent test.
Results
The average age of participants was 79.42 ± 8.16, and the study included 226 women (79.9%) and 57 men (20.1%). The average number of self-administered medications daily was 4.94 ± 3.68, and 55.1% took five or more medications. PIM use was found in 107 patients (37.8%). There was a significant difference in polypharmacy according to age, and the proportion of medical aid beneficiaries and prevalence of cardiocerebrovascular, endocrine, and other chronic diseases were higher in the polypharmacy and PIM use patients than in the non-polypharmacy and non-PIM use patients. The number of chronic diseases and medications taken were significantly high among polypharmacy and PIM use patients.
Conclusion
It is necessary to minimize polypharmacy and PIM use, and establish a system for systematically evaluating and managing medication use to prevent falls in the elderly.

Keyword

Aged; Accidental falls; Polypharmacy; Potentially inappropriate medication list