Polypharmacy and Use of Psychotherapeutic Agents Leading to Falls in Patients with Dementia: Proof of Relationship

Objective: To analyze the ramifications of polypharmacy and the prescription of psychotherapeutic agents among participants having dementia.

Design: IRB approved, 3 month observational study.

Setting: 3 memory care assisted living communities in Illinois.

Participants: Mild/moderate/severe dementia residents (N=153). 51 males and 102 females. 65 to 99 years old.

Interventions: All participants were administered the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) one time to determine the level of their dementia.

Main Outcome Measures: Level of dementia was assessed through the MMSE. Past medical history (Parkinson’s disease, type of medications, number of medications, etc…) was gathered from the medical chart. Social history (tobacco use, hearing loss, etc…) was obtained through power of attorney questionnaire.

Results: A p-value of 0.0727 was obtained from a Pearson’s Chi Squared Test of Independence for Number of Medications and Number of Falls. A p-value of 0.0385 was obtained from a Chi Squared Test of Independence for Use of Psychotherapeutic Agents and Number of Falls.

Conclusions: Participants taking excess amounts of medications, termed polypharmacy, may be at a greater risk of experiencing falls. Furthermore, those participants using psychotherapeutic agents seem to be at a particularly greater risk to fall.

Keywords: Dementia; Psychotherapeutic Agents; Falls; Polypharmacy; Poly-physician; Memory Care Community.