Effect of vitamin D level and polypharmacy on the risk of falls in the elderly

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the effects of polypharmacy and vitamin D levels on the risk of falls in the elderly.

Methods: The prospective study included 201 patients (F/M: 155/46) aged 65 years and older who presented with nonspecific musculoskeletal pain. The demographic and laboratory data of the patients, as well as the results of a single leg stance test (SLST), a timed up and go (TUG) test and levels of vitamin D were recorded.

Results: The percentage of patients with polypharmacy is 15.9 percent and 29.4 percent used no medications. The SLST score was the lowest and the TUG test score was significantly higher in the polypharmacy group (p<0.05). Vitamin D levels were significantly higher in patients with normal SLST times than those with abnormal SLST times (p<0.05). The risk of falls was significantly higher among patients with a previous history of a fall (p<0.05). Polypharmacy and the female gender appeared as the most significant factors affecting the risk of falls (p<0.05), while vitamin D level was found to have no effect (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Medical therapies for the treatment of diseases in the elderly should have a rational basis, as this may reduce falls, particularly in the elderly population, that can have serious consequences, and may even lead to death.