PROSPECTIVE EVALUATION OF FRAILTY AND FALL SUSCEPTIBILITY IN GERIATRICS RECEIVING FALL RISK-INCREASING DRUGS AND ITS IMPACT ON QUALITY OF LIFE
Author(s)
Anshaj Sharma, PharmD1, Aarti Krishnan, PharmD2, Kavya Ramesh, PharmD3, Reyaz Golsangi, PharmD3, Maheswari Eswar, PhD4;
1All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jr Materiovigilance Associate, New Delhi, India, 2Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, Clinical Pharmacy, Bengaluru, India, 3M S Ramaiah University Of Applied Sciences, Bengaluru, India, 4M S Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Pharmacy Practice, Bangalore, India
1All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Jr Materiovigilance Associate, New Delhi, India, 2Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, Clinical Pharmacy, Bengaluru, India, 3M S Ramaiah University Of Applied Sciences, Bengaluru, India, 4M S Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Pharmacy Practice, Bangalore, India
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of fall-risk-increasing drugs (FRIDs) among geriatric patients, evaluate the feasibility of deprescribing of FRIDs, and assess impact of deprescription on frailty, fall risk, and quality of life (QoL).
METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted for 12-month period (November 2023-November 2024) at Ramaiah Medical College Hospital, Bengaluru in collaboration with the Departments of Orthopaedics and Geriatric Medicine. Data were collected through comprehensive medication reviews, laboratory reports, and structured patient interviews. Frailty was assessed using the Frailty Index for Elderly (FIFE), fall risk was evaluated via Modified Morse Fall Scale (MMFS), and QoL was measured using Barthel Index, which evaluates functional independence in activities of daily living.
RESULTS: Among 340 geriatric patients enrolled, 185(54%) were males and 155(46%) were females with majority (61%) aged between 65-74 years. The most prevalent comorbidities were hypertension (62.35%) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (55.88%). Cardiovascular agents constituted the most frequently prescribed FRIDs, accounting for 33.56% of prescriptions. The mean number of FRIDs per patient was 2.72±1.78. In the preceding three months, 83.5% of participants had been hospitalized, and 67.9% had visited the emergency department. The average FIFE and MMFS scores were 5.82 and 78.35, respectively, reflecting elevated frailty and fall risk. Among patients undergoing deprescribing, 48.4% were transitioned to safer alternatives, 24.2% had dose reductions, and 27.2% experienced adjusted dosing frequencies. Baseline Barthel Index assessment showed 45.2% of patients with severe dependency on caregivers, which decreased to 32.3% at follow-up, indicating improved functional autonomy post-intervention. Friedman test scores increased from 1.58 to 2.45 following deprescription, with chi-square analysis demonstrating a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: Identification of FRIDs utilization among geriatric patients is critical for minimizing the risk of frailty and falls. Implementing targeted deprescribing strategies can significantly enhance patient safety and improve QoL.
METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted for 12-month period (November 2023-November 2024) at Ramaiah Medical College Hospital, Bengaluru in collaboration with the Departments of Orthopaedics and Geriatric Medicine. Data were collected through comprehensive medication reviews, laboratory reports, and structured patient interviews. Frailty was assessed using the Frailty Index for Elderly (FIFE), fall risk was evaluated via Modified Morse Fall Scale (MMFS), and QoL was measured using Barthel Index, which evaluates functional independence in activities of daily living.
RESULTS: Among 340 geriatric patients enrolled, 185(54%) were males and 155(46%) were females with majority (61%) aged between 65-74 years. The most prevalent comorbidities were hypertension (62.35%) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (55.88%). Cardiovascular agents constituted the most frequently prescribed FRIDs, accounting for 33.56% of prescriptions. The mean number of FRIDs per patient was 2.72±1.78. In the preceding three months, 83.5% of participants had been hospitalized, and 67.9% had visited the emergency department. The average FIFE and MMFS scores were 5.82 and 78.35, respectively, reflecting elevated frailty and fall risk. Among patients undergoing deprescribing, 48.4% were transitioned to safer alternatives, 24.2% had dose reductions, and 27.2% experienced adjusted dosing frequencies. Baseline Barthel Index assessment showed 45.2% of patients with severe dependency on caregivers, which decreased to 32.3% at follow-up, indicating improved functional autonomy post-intervention. Friedman test scores increased from 1.58 to 2.45 following deprescription, with chi-square analysis demonstrating a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: Identification of FRIDs utilization among geriatric patients is critical for minimizing the risk of frailty and falls. Implementing targeted deprescribing strategies can significantly enhance patient safety and improve QoL.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-05, ISPOR 2026, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Value in Health, Volume 29, Issue S6
Code
CO121
Topic
Clinical Outcomes
Topic Subcategory
Clinical Outcomes Assessment
Disease
SDC: Cardiovascular Disorders (including MI, Stroke, Circulatory), SDC: Diabetes/Endocrine/Metabolic Disorders (including obesity), SDC: Geriatrics