Polypharmacy and medication related falls risk in orthogeriatric femoral fracture patients Polypharmacy and medication related falls risk in orthogeriatric femoral fracture patients

Abstract

Aim: To reportpolypharmacy rates and identify specific medications that increase falls riskin orthogeriatric femoral fracture patients. Method: A retrospectivesub-analysis, using the electronic medical records of patients admitted with a minimaltrauma femoral fracture to a tertiary teaching hospital during a 12-monthperiod was undertaken. Specific medications associated with falls risk wereclassified under three specific groups: benzodiazepines, tricyclicantidepressants (TCAs), and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics. Results: A sample of 131patients was included in the audit. Of these, 99 patients (75.6%) were reportedto be taking five or more medications prior to their falls related admission.From this, 49 patients (37.4%) were taking ten or more medications. One in fivepatients were found to be taking specified falls risk medications prior toadmission, primarily benzodiazepines (75.8%). Conclusion: Orthogeriatricpatients admitted to hospital with a femoral fracture following a minimaltrauma fall were commonly taking five or more medications prior to admission.Over a third of patients that were reported to take ten or more pre-admissionmedications were taking specified falls risk medications. This highlights theneed for medication-reviews and de-prescribing, particularly focusing on fallsrisk medications, to reduce incidence of falls and minimal trauma fractures inhigh risk patients