Publication
Title
Medication use in a cohort of newly admitted nursing home residents (Ageing@NH) in relation to evolving physical and mental health
Author
Abstract
Background: Medication use is high among nursing home (NH) residents, but there is a lack of longitudinal studies, determining medication use at admission and its evolution over time. Aim: Describing the evolution of the medication use two years after entering a NH, compared to the baseline observations and exploring the relation to the physical and mental health. Methods: Data from the observational prospective Ageing@NH study, based on an inception cohort of newly admitted residents at NHs (65+) was used, selecting those consenting and with medication chart available. Information about socio-demographic, functional and mental characteristics, as well as medication use, was collected at baseline, year 1 and year 2. Results: Medication chart was available for n = 741 at baseline (mean age 83.8, 66% female), and for n = 342 residents in year 2. The mean number of total medications increased from 8.9 to 10.1 (p-value < 0.001). Polypharmacy was high, with an increase in extreme polypharmacy from 23% to 32%. The biggest increase was noted in the respiratory (from 17% to 27%) and alimentary medications (from 80% to 87%). Cardiovascular medication use in year 2, was lower in those with stable high dependency (77%) and those evolving from low to high dependency (79%), than those with stable low dependency (89%) (p < 0.025). For residents with or evolving to dementia symptoms, decline in most medication groups was observed, especially in pain and sleeping medications, while antipsychotics use increased. Conclusion: Although medication use was high, signs of deprescribing were noted when the physical and mental health of the residents declined.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Archives of gerontology and geriatrics. - Amsterdam
Publication
Amsterdam : 2018
ISSN
0167-4943
DOI
10.1016/J.ARCHGER.2018.01.005
Volume/pages
75 (2018) , p. 202-208
ISI
000426105800031
Pubmed ID
29353187
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 29.03.2018
Last edited 04.03.2024
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