Patterns of Fall Risk-Increasing Drugs and Polypharmacy in Chinese Older Adults Before and After Fall-Related Fractures: A Single Center Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: This study aims to investigate how prescriptions change in hospitals and communities, as well as to assess the impact on the elderly with fall-related fractures. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from a single center between 2014 and 2019. The observation outcomes included the number and proportion of all FRIDs and polypharmacy used and divided into 3 cohorts based on FRIDs risk level. Results: In total, 109 patients were included. At admission, 76.1% were used FRIDs and 59.6% were polypharmacy. Six months later, 71.6% continued to use FRIDs and 57.8% were receiving multiple medications. There was no statistically significant difference. The results of the stratified analysis according to risk levels showed a decrease in the number of high-risk FRIDs use during hospital treatment (16.5%) compared to the before hospitalization (31.2%). However, recurrent prescribing occurred in 6 months follow-up periods (29.4%) . Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of FRIDs and polypharmacy in elderly patients following a fall-related fracture. Despite prescription simplification during hospitalization, FRIDs will be utilized again in the community within 6 months. Both physicians and the elderly should pay closer attention to enhance medication management and facilitate appropriate deprescribing in high-risk fall older population.