Medication optimization according to the Fit fOR The Aged (FORTA) rules improves functional status in patients hospitalized for geriatric rehabilitation

Abstract

Introduction Functional status is one of the most important issues of geriatric care. Polypharmacy seems to be a modifiable factor associated with functional decline in older adults. However, the impact of pharmacotherapy optimization on the activities of daily living in patients undergoing geriatric rehabilitation has not been investigated prospectively so far. Methods This post hoc analysis of a subsample of the VALFORTA study included individuals only undergoing geriatric rehabilitation with a length of in-hospital stay of at least 14 days. Medication was modified according to the FORTA rules in the intervention group while in the control group standard drug treatment was applied. Both groups received comprehensive geriatric treatment. Results The intervention and control groups consisted of 96 and 93 individuals respectively. They did not differ according to basic data except for age and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) on admission. On discharge, activities of daily living (Barthel index, BI) were improved in both groups. An increase of at least 20 points of the BI was observed in 40% of patients in the intervention group and in 12% of patients in the control group (p< 0.001). Logistic regression analysis with an increase of at least 20 BI-points was significantly and independently associated with patient group (2.358, p< 0.02), BI on admission (0.957, p< 0.001), and the CCI (0.793, p< 0.041). Conclusion This post hoc analysis of a subsample of older individuals hospitalized for geriatric rehabilitation demonstrates a significant additional improvement in activities of daily living by modification of medication according to FORTA. Registration DRKS-ID: DRKS00000531.

Einfluss von andauerndem Schmerz und Medikamenten auf das Sturz- und Frakturrisiko

“…Für die Auswahl geeigneter Medikamente stehen in Deutschland die PRISCUS-Liste [31] und die FORTA-Liste [32] zur Verfügung. Für die FORTA-Liste konnte gezeigt werden, dass eine an dieser Liste orientierte Anpassung der Medikation zu einer funktionellen Verbesserung führen kann [33].…”