Investigation of Balance, Kinesiophobia, and Mobility in Older Adults Exposed to Polypharmacy

Abstract

Aim: Older adults often face significant issues related to functionality, balance, and fall risk. This study aimed to investigate balance, kinesiophobia, and mobility in older adults exposed to polypharmacy. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study included a total of 75 individuals aged 65 years and over who were exposed to polypharmacy and presented to a university hospital between November 2023 and March 2024, and with a standardized mini-mental test (SMMT) score of 25 and above. Data were collected using the patient introduction and medication use questionnaire, the Berg balance scale (BBS), the Tampa kinesiophobia scale (TKS), and the timed up and go (TUG) test. Results: Individuals who completed the TUG test within 0-1414 seconds exhibited higher BBS scores when compared to those who completed the test in more than 14 seconds (p=0.001), while the TKS scores were lower (p=0.001). Furthermore, it was observed that individuals with a history of falls had higher TKS (p=0.001) and TUG test (p=0.001) scores than those without a history of falls. Additionally, the number of chronic diseases showed a negative correlation with BBS scores (rs=-0.319, p=0.005), while exhibiting a positive correlation with TKS scores (rs=0.263, p=0.023) and TUG test (rs=0.316, p=0.006) durations. Conclusion: The findings of the study indicate that polypharmacy has a deleterious effect on balance and mobility in older adults. It is imperative to evaluate the suitability of the prescribed medications and to take into account the patient's current medications prior to the initiation of new medications.

Keywords

• Balance
• kinesiophobia
• mobility
• older adults
• polypharmacy

Polifarmasisi Olan Yaşlı Bireylerde Denge, Kinezyofobi ve Mobilitenin İncelenmesi

Abstract

Amaç: Yaşlı yetişkinler sıklıkla fonksiyonel bozukluklar, denge ve düşme riskiyle ilgili önemli problemlerle karşı karşıya kalmaktadır. Bu çalışmanın amacı, polifarmasisi olan yaşlı bireylerde denge, kinezyofobi ve mobilitenin araştırılmasıdır. Gereç ve Yöntemler: Bu kesitsel çalışmaya, polifarmasisi olan ve Kasım 2023 ve Mart 2024 tarihleri arasında bir üniversite hastanesine başvuran ve standart mini mental test (SMMT) puanı 25 ve üzeri olan 65 yaş ve üzeri toplam 75 kişi dahil edildi. Veriler hasta tanıtımı ve ilaç kullanımı anketi, Berg denge ölçeği (BDÖ), Tampa kinezyofobi ölçeği (TKÖ) ve zamanlı kalk ve yürü (ZKY) testi kullanılarak toplandı. Bulgular: ZKY testini 0-14 saniye içinde tamamlayan kişiler, testi 14 saniyeden daha uzun sürede tamamlayanlara kıyasla daha yüksek BDÖ puanlarına sahipti (p=0,001), bu grupta TKÖ puanları ise daha düşüktü (p=0,001). Ayrıca, düşme öyküsü olan bireylerin düşme öyküsü olmayanlara kıyasla daha yüksek TKÖ (p=0,001) ve daha yüksek ZKY testi (p=0,001) puanlarına sahip olduğu görüldü. Ek olarak, kronik hastalık sayısı BDÖ puanları ile negatif korelasyon (rs=-0,319; p=0,005) gösterirken, TKÖ puanları (rs=0,263; p=0,023) ve ZKY testi süreleri (rs=0,316; p=0,006) ile pozitif korelasyon gösterdi. Sonuç: Çalışmanın bulguları, yaşlı bireylerde polifarmasinin denge ve mobilite üzerine olumsuz etkileri olduğunu göstermiştir. Yeni bir tedavi protokolü oluşturulmadan önce reçete edilen ilaçların endikasyon uygunluğunun değerlendirilmesi ve hastanın düzenli kullandığı ilaçların da dikkate alınması oldukça önemlidir.

Keywords

• Denge
• kinezyofobi
• mobilite
• yaşlı bireyler
• polifarmasi

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