Medications and the risk of falls among older people in a geriatric centre in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study.

Background Falls are a major cause of morbidity and hospitalization in older people. Many drugs have been shown to increase the risk of falls in this population. Few empirical data exist on the use of fall-risk-increasing drugs among older people of sub-Saharan Africa countries. Objective This study aimed to assess the prevalence and predictors of falls, and the association between FRIDs, drugs causing orthostatic hypotension and falls. Setting Geriatric center, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods A cross-sectional study of 400 older patients aged ≥ 60 years selected consecutively at the geriatric centre, between September and November 2019, were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Socio-demographic information, medication utilization, and history of falls were obtained. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were carried out using SPSS 23. Alpha was set at 0.05. Main outcome measure Prevalence and predictors of falls among ambulatory older patients. Results The mean age of the older patients was 72.4 ± 7.3 years and 255 (63.7%) were females. The total number of FRIDs and ODs used by older patients was 578 (35.2%). The prevalence of fall was 181 (45.3%) which was significantly higher among the females compared with the males (51.8% vs 33.8%) p = 0.01. Classes of medications such as anti-Parkinson's (p = 0.027), sedatives (p = 0.033), antipsychotics (p = 0.011) and anticholinergic (p = 0.027) were significantly associated with fall. Predictive factors for falls on logistic regression were female [OR = 2.375; 95% CI 0.274-3.704, p = 0.001] and use of antipsychotics [OR = 5.132; 95% CI 1.352-19.480, p = 0.016]. Conclusion The prevalence of falls was high and being a woman ≥ 60 years is a major risk factor for falling. Interventions to decrease falls in older patients by drug modification and deprescribing of FRIDs and ODs might reduce fall-related injuries. Thus, a multidisciplinary approach is essential for intervention to reduce the risk of falls and improve therapeutic outcomes among older patients.

Pharmacists' knowledge and counselling on fall risk increasing drugs in a tertiary teaching hospital in Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Falls and fall-related injuries are a foremost health concern among older adults aged 60 years and above. Fall-risk-increasing drugs (FRIDs) use by older adults is one related cause of falling, and it is frequently used among older adults. Pharmacist-led counselling is an aspect of patient education that has been associated with improved therapeutic outcome and quality of life in high income countries with scarcity of information in low-middle income countries. This study therefore aims to assess hospital pharmacists' knowledge and counselling on fall-related medications using the list compiled by the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare on FRIDs and orthostatic drugs (ODs). METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 56 pharmacists working in a teaching hospital in Nigeria, between July and August 2019, using a self-administered questionnaire. Data were summarized with descriptive statistics while chi-square test was used for categorical variables at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Thirty-five (62.5%) were within 10 years of practice experience. Two-third (62.5%) of the pharmacists possessed an additional qualification to Bachelor of Pharmacy degree. Twenty-two (40.0%) were aware of the FRIDs and ODs list. In all, (89.3%) had "unsatisfactory" knowledge of classes of medications and specific medicines that could cause a fall. Most pharmacists 42 (80.8%) focused counsel on appropriate medication use, adverse effects of drugs and storage of medications. Knowledge score of both FRIDs and ODs were neither significantly associated with pharmacists' years of qualification (χ2 = 1.282; p = 0.733), (χ2 = 2.311; p = 0.510) nor with possession of additional qualification (χ2 = 0.854; p = 0.836), (χ2 = 2.996; p = 0.392). Majority, 53 (98.1%) believed that patients will benefit from effective counselling on FRIDs and ODs. About half (25; 51.0%) suggested training through seminar presentation as a measure for FRIDs and ODs sensitization. CONCLUSION: A substantial gap in knowledge and awareness of FRIDs and ODs was noted among the hospital pharmacists. However, engagement of pharmacists on counsel that focus on medication use, adverse effect and storage was relatively better. Thus, there is a general need to create awareness about fall-risk-increasing drugs among hospital pharmacists, so as to help improve the therapeutic outcome particularly in the older adults.