title: Multiple medication use in older patients in post-acute transitional care: a prospective cohort study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Older adults with a range of comorbidities are often prescribed multiple medications, which may impact on their function and cognition and increase the potential for drug interactions and adverse events.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated the extent of polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications in patients receiving post-discharge transitional home care and explored the associations of polypharmacy with patient characteristics, functional outcomes, and frailty.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective observational study was conducted of 351 patients discharged home from hospital with support from six Transition Care Program (TCP) sites in two states of Australia. A comprehensive geriatric assessment was conducted at TCP admission and discharge using the interRAI Home Care assessment tool, with frailty measured using an index of 57 accumulated deficits. Medications from hospital discharge summaries were coded using the World Health Organization Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Polypharmacy (5-9 drugs) was observed in 46.7% and hyperpolypharmacy (≥ 10 drugs) in 39.2% of patients. Increasing numbers of medications were associated with greater number of comorbid conditions, a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dizziness, and dyspnea and increased frailty. At discharge from the program, the non-polypharmacy group (<5 drugs) had improved outcomes in Activities of Daily Living, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living and fewer falls, which was mediated because of lower levels of frailty. The commonest drugs were analgesics (56.8%) and antiulcer drugs (52.7%). The commonest potentially inappropriate medications were tertiary tricyclic antidepressants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Polypharmacy is common in older patients discharged from hospital. It is associated with frailty, falls, and poor functional outcomes. Efforts should be made to encourage regular medication reviews and rationalization of medications as part of discharge planning. Whether careful deprescribing improves outcomes in frail patients should be the focus of randomized trials.
authors.affiliation: The Prince Charles Hospital, Chermside, QLD, Australia ; Centre for Research in Geriatric Medicine, The University of Queensland School of Medicine, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Runganga
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research in Geriatric Medicine, The University of Queensland School of Medicine, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Nancye M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Peel
authors.affiliation: Centre for Research in Geriatric Medicine, The University of Queensland School of Medicine, QLD, Australia ; Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Ruth E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Hubbard
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D057970:Inappropriate Prescribing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D019338:Polypharmacy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: functional outcomes; older people; polypharmacy; post-acute care