BACKGROUND: The scientific literature has shown that an association between polypharmacy and frailty exists. However, few studies have also considered drug interactions and the use of potentially inappropriate medications. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between the use of drugs and frailty among community-dwelling older people. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study carried out among 580 older people in Uberaba (MG). METHODS: Data were collected at these older people's homes using instruments validated in Brazil. Descriptive, bivariate and binary logistic regression analyses were performed (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Most of these individuals were classified as pre-frail (55.7%), while 13.1% were frail. It was found that 31.7% of them presented polypharmacy, 41.7% had drug interactions and 43.8% were using potentially inappropriate medications. In the initial model, polypharmacy (odds ratio, OR = 1.91; confidence interval, CI = 1.27-2.86) and use of potentially inappropriate medications (OR = 2.45; CI = 1.68-3.57) increased the chance that these older people would be pre-frail or frail. In the final adjusted model, use of potentially inappropriate drugs remained associated with the outcome (OR = 2.26; CI = 1.43-3.57). CONCLUSION: Use of potentially inappropriate medications was the independent variable that explained the occurrence of frailty in a representative sample of community-dwelling older adults.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.