138 The use of Fall Risk-Increasing Drugs among Older People in Nursing Home

Abstract

Abstract Medication use has been one of the modifiable risk factors in causing falls. Falls are the leading cause of injury among older people. The incidence of falls will greatly impact the independence of the older people to carry out normal activity. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of drugs causing falls and the fall risk status among older people residing in nursing homes. A cross-sectional study was conducted among residents in 27 long term care facilities in Malaysia from March 2018 until November 2018 using a researcher-assisted questionnaire. In this study, 212 elderly residents were recruited and further categorized into frail (6.6%, n=14), pre-frail (57.5%, n= 122) and robust (35.8%, n=76). The frailty status was found to be significantly associated with the risk of falling (p < 0.001). Of all residents recruited, 68.4% (n=145) were taking at least one FRIDs or orthostatic drugs. Antipsychotics and calcium channel blockers were the most frequently used FRIDs. Length of stay in facilities (<1 year), frailty status, number of medication, use of CCB or RAS inhibitors are associated with an increased risk of falling (p<0.05). Therefore majority of the older people residing in nursing homes were prone to the use of fall-risk medications, particularly ODs. Frail older people had a greater risk in falling compared to those who were non-frail.