A Study on the Predictors of Functional Status and the Overuse of OTC Medications among Elderly Population in a Sub-Urban Region of North Bengal.

ABSTRACT

Background: Functional status can be conceptualized as an individual’s ability to manage activities related to personal self-care and self-maintenance. Functional status assessment is fundamental aspect of geriatric examination especially in the context of over the counter (OTC) medications. This assessment helps clinicians and policymakers to design and implement interventions that help elderly to live safely and independently. The primary objective was to assess the prevalence of limitation in activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADL (IADL) among elderly population. The secondary objective was to identify the use of OTC medications according to the therapeutic indications among them. Methods: A total of 200 community dwelling elderly persons residing in Sushrutanagar of North Bengal were interviewed using valid and reliable functional assessment scales namely Katz ADL and Lawton and Brody IADL. Statistical procedures for the analyses included descriptive ADL and IADL activity limitation was 15 % (30/200) and 85 % (170/200), respectively. Results: The results of logistic regression analysis revealed that advancing age (70 years and above), poor self-rated health and ailments namely musculoskeletal problems, cardiovascular diseases and cataract significantly predict functional limitation. 70% of the subjects consumed analgesics and 60% the antacids as OTC medications. Conclusion: With advancing age, various co-morbidities starts creeping up and the study subjects used the OTC medications to counteract the associated functional limitations as evident from this study. Cataract surgeries patients should be identified and operated upon so as to improve visual functioning and thus their functional ability. Further, factors affecting the use of OTC drugs in elderly subjects need further research.