Medication burden and weight loss linked to fracture, fall risk in older adults

With an aging population now an irrefutable reality in Japan, concerns about the health and well-being of older adults have come to the forefront of public health dialogue. Older adults are especially at risk for fragility fractures and falls, which threaten their healthy life expectancy. Although these risks are thought to be influenced by lifestyle factors and medication use, studies that comprehensively evaluate these variables remain limited.

Modifiable factors, such as polypharmacy, the use of multiple medications at once, and unintentional weight loss need to be systematically assessed. Further, there is no clear consensus on physical activity’s role in preventing fractures and falls.

To improve this area of geriatric health, a research group led by Dr. Masayoshi Iwamae at Osaka Metropolitan University’s Graduate School of Medicine conducted a cross-sectional analysis to identify factors associated with fragility fractures and falls.

Data on 4,967 community-dwelling adults age 60 and older in Osaka Prefecture were collected and analyzed from an online survey that covered demographics, a five-year history of fragility fractures, falls, medication, unintentional weight loss and physical activity. The findings were published in BMC Geriatrics.

The team’s findings showed that being female, polypharmacy, a history of falls and unintentional weight loss were each independently associated with fragility fractures. Factors associated with falls were the use of sleeping medications, polypharmacy and unintentional weight loss.

In contrast, physical activity, a previous subject of debate, was not significantly associated with either fragility fractures or falls.

“These results highlight the importance of comprehensive prevention strategies, including medication optimization and nutritional interventions. Physical activity, meanwhile, should be promoted to improve overall quality of life. This study provides evidence to support practical interventions for community-dwelling older adults,” said Dr. Iwamae.

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Sadie Harley

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Andrew Zinin

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