[Polypharmacy and psychotropic drugs as risk factors for falls in long-term care setting for elderly patients in Lombardy].
Aim of the study was to investigate polypharmacy and psychotropic drugs as risk factors for falls in a Long-term Care Setting for elderly patients. In a cross-sectional study we investigated the characteristics of 414 subjects: 207 fallen patients 44 (21.3%) male e 163 (78.7%) female mean age 84.16 +/- 8.3 y.o. First generation neuroleptics (OR 1.739 CI 95% 1.047-2.889), benzodiazepines (OR 2.357 CI 95% 1.5-3.702) and mood stabilizers (OR 1.889 CI 95% 1.091-3.270) were associated to falls when adjusted for age, sex and comorbidities. Polypharmacotherapy (> or = 4 drugs) was a risk factor for falls when associated to a risk medication in the daily regimen only (OR 2.157 CI 95% 1.447-3.217). What raised has to be taken into account in the prescriptive activities in a Long term Care Setting for elderly patients.
Baranzini
Federico
F
Sezione di Psichiatria, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, Varese.
Poloni
Nicola
N
Diurni
Marcello
M
Ceccon
Francesca
F
Colombo
Daniela
D
Colli
Cristiano
C
Ferrari
Giuseppe
G
Callegari
Camilla
C
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D019338:Polypharmacy; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs