[Risk of falls and drug use in patients over 65 years of age. The PYCAF study]

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the risk of falls and its relationship with the multiple drug use in the non-institutionalised elderly.

Materials and methods: The PYCAF study (Prevalence and Characteristics of the Fragile Elderly) is a cross-sectional, descriptive and multicentre study in patients> 65 years of age. A fall was considered high risk when it took more than 20seconds to perform the Timed Up and Go test. Consuming between 5 and 9 drugs is considered multiple drug (MD) use, and extreme multiple drug (EMD) use the consumption of 10 or more drugs. Adjusted logistic regression models evaluated the association between multiple drug use and EMD and the risk of falls.

Results: A total of 2,461 patients (57.9% women), with a mean age (SD) 76.0 (± 7.0) years, were included in the study. The mean consumption of medications was 6.6 ± 3.7, range 0-23. Multiple drug use was present in 50.6%, and EMD in 19.2% of patients. A high risk of falls was observed in 13.7% of patients. The prevalence of high risk of falls was more than 2times higher in patients with EMD (ORa = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.27 - 3.38) and MD (ORa = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.26 - 2.99).

Conclusions: MD and EMD are associated with a high risk of falls in patients over 65 years of age. The risk of falls in elderly patients should be assessed before prescribing medication.

Keywords: Ancianos; Atención Primaria; Caídas; Elderly; Falls; Multiple drug use; Polifarmacia; Primary Care.