Abstract

AIM: In this study we aimed to determine the effects of polypharmacy on falls, balance and the cognitive status.
METHOD: Totally 80 geriatric patients were included to the study; 40 patients were living as a nursing home resident and the other 40 patients were living at home. We used standardized Mini Mental Test for cognitive functions and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) for balance function. We recorded data including one year medication and falling history. Mann Whitney U Test, Wilcoxon Test and Spearman Correlation Test are used for statistical analyses.
RESULTS: We determined negative correlation between age-medication history and cognitive-balance and positive correlation between age-medication history and falling (p=0.00). sMMT and BBS scores were higher in males and this was significant (p=0.01).
CONCLUSION: In this study we determined that polypharmacy decreases cognitive and balance functions and increases the number of falling in elderly patients. For this reason, we think that questioning the falling risk in elderly patient while prescribing is necessary.

Key words: Key Words: Geriatric patient, Polypharmacy, the Frequency of Falls

Article Language: Turkish English