Polypharmacy and associated factors in older adults living in communities: a comparative study using the Social Frailty Score and Kihon Checklist.

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we investigated the status of polypharmacy among community-dwelling older adults and comprehensively examined background factors, including social frailty and Kihon Checklist (KCL) scores, based on the presence or absence of polypharmacy.

Materials and methods: We conducted a survey using self-administered questionnaires distributed via mail to 319 participants. Information on demographics, comorbidities, highest educational attainment, medication status, social frailty, and KCL scores was collected.

Results: Using propensity score matching, 75 and 71 patients with and without polypharmacy, respectively, were selected for analysis. A comparison between the two groups indicated no differences in social frailty; however, significant differences were observed in the total KCL scores (P=0.002), motor dysfunction (P=0.045), oral hypofunction (P=0.023), social withdrawal (P=0.032), and depression (P=0.034).

Conclusion: Among community-dwelling older adults with polypharmacy, attention should be paid to the potential for decreased motor and oral functions, social withdrawal, and depression.