Psychoactive drugs as risk factors for functional decline among noninstitutionalized dependent elderly people.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze the association between use of psychoactive drugs and functional decline among noninstitutionalized dependent elderly people.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
A total of 161 community-dwelling elderly people with functional dependence.


METHODS
The data were analyzed using logistic regression with adjustment for age models. The independent variables were the following: use of psychoactive drugs (antidepressants, anticonvulsants, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, or sedatives), cognitive decline (Mini-Mental State Examination score<20), and daytime sleepiness. The dependent variables were the following: dependence relating to activities of daily living (ADLs) and dependence relating to instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs).


RESULTS
Data on 131 individuals of mean age 77.5 years were analyzed. Psychoactive drugs were used by 33.6%. Age-adjusted univariate analysis showed associations between psychoactive drug use and both ADLs and IADLs. However, in multivariate analysis, only ADLs showed a significant association with psychoactive drug use, independent of cognitive decline and daytime sleepiness (OR=2.67; 95% CI: 1.04-6.85; P=.04).


CONCLUSIONS
There is a greater risk of impairment of ADLs among noninstitutionalized elderly people using psychoactive drugs. These results indicate the need for rational use of medication groups among this population with greater risk of functional impairment.
Cabrera
Marcos Aparecido Sarria
MA
Health Sciences Center, State University of Londrina, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. marcoscabrera@uol.com.br
Dellaroza
Mara Solange Gomes
MS
Trelha
Celita Salmaso
CS
Paccola
Lílian Bruniera Brunelli
LB
da Cruz Domiciano Perdigão
Sandra
S
de Barros Pinto
Meyre Eiras
ME
Silva
Thadeu Jairo Guerra
TJ
de Oliveira
Daniel Gonçalves
DG
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs