[Risk of falls and consumption of medicines in an elderly population]

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the risk factors and the effect of medication use on the risk of falls in a population of 65 years or older.

Material and methods: Descriptive study of falls in the elderly population. The risk factors and consequences of the fall were recorded. Hypnotic and sedative risk drugs, opioids, and the simultaneous consumption of six or more drugs were considered. Diuretics were also included. The cumulative incidence for each group and the corresponding relative risks of falls were analysed from the cases registered between June and November 2016.

Results: During the study period, 60 falls were reported, of which 66% were by women and 34% by men. The cumulative incidence of falls was 3 per thousand women (95% CI: 2.22-4.08), and 2 per thousand men (95% CI: 1.44-3.41). The majority (71%) had consumed risk medication. Six or more medications were taken by 40% of the men and 62.5% of the women, and 97.6% was risk medication. The relative risk of falls in people using hypnotics, sedatives and opioids compared to non-users was 8.7 in men and 7.1 in women. In people who took diuretics, the relative risk was 4.6 for both genders. In women on multiple medications the relative risk was 3.7 compared to 1.7 in men.

Conclusions: Polypharmacy and the use of hypnotic and sedative drugs and opioids and diuretics are an important public health problem, due to being risk factors for falls in this population, with a greater impact for women.

Keywords: Accidental falls; Aged; Ancianos; Caídas accidentales; Caídas de pacientes; Conciliación de la medicación; Medication reconciliation; Patient falls.