Older adults on multiple medications less likely to regain independence
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Older adults discharged from hospitals with multiple medications are less likely to regain independence during rehabilitation, a new study shows.
The Japanese study, published Dec. 17 in the journal BMC Geriatrics, investigated the effects of polypharmacy, defined as taking six or more regular medications at a convalescent rehabilitation hospital in Japan.
The retrospective observational study examined 1,903 patients ages 65 and older who received hospital rehabilitation from April 2017 to March 2024, according to a press release.
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Patients had one of three conditions: cerebrovascular disease (a disorder that reduces or blocks blood flow in blood vessels in the brain), motor impairment (a condition that affects movement and muscle control), or disuse syndrome (inactivity leading to muscle weakness and physical decline).
In the total group, 62.1% of patients were taking six or more medications when discharged from the hospital, and more than 76% of them were 80 years of age or older.
Older adults discharged from the hospital to receive multiple medications are less likely to regain independence during rehabilitation, a new study shows. (iStock)
Those taking multiple medications were also more likely to take benzodiazepine receptor agonists (taken for anxiety or insomnia), laxatives, and psychotropic medications (mostly used for depression, anxiety, psychosis, and other mood disorders).
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Researchers determined that polypharmacy patients with cerebrovascular disease and disuse syndrome scored significantly lower on the functional independence measure (FIM), which evaluates how independently a person can perform daily activities, especially after illness, injury, or hospitalization. Those in the motor impairment group showed no association between polypharmacy and FIM.
The negative effects were stronger in adults over age 80 and those recovering from stroke-related conditions or general weakness due to inactivity.
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Based on these findings, researchers suggest that reviewing and reducing unnecessary medications may help improve the recovery of those entering rehab.
Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel calls polypharmacy in the elderly a “risky proposition.”
The retrospective observational study examined 1,903 patients aged 65 and older who received rehabilitation in a hospital from April 2017 to March 2024. (iStock)
“While each drug generally has an important purpose, we must keep in mind that the ability to tolerate various medications and metabolize them efficiently declines as we age,” he told Fox News Digital.
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“For example, a drug that has the potential to calm you down or even confuse you may be more likely to do so as you get older.”
Siegel added that drug interactions tend to increase as patients get older.
“These all need to be monitored carefully by your doctor, and sometimes less is more,” he said.
Based on these findings, researchers suggest that reviewing and reducing unnecessary medications may help improve the recovery of those entering rehab. (iStock)
The researchers acknowledged that the study had some limitations. Because of its retrospective and observational design, it does not prove that medications caused the outcome.
The researchers also noted a lack of data on specific doses of medications and intensity of rehabilitation. Additionally, because the study was conducted in only one hospital, the results may not apply to more general populations.
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Future research is needed to determine which specific medications most impact recovery and to explore the best approaches to reducing prescriptions.
