The effect of frailty and cognitive impairment on rational use of medicine in older adults

Abstract Background/Aim: To determine whether frailty and cognitive changes affect rational use of medicines in older individuals. Methods: The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in eastern Turkey. A total of 251 older individuals aged 60 years were included. In addition to demographic and medical characteristics, frailty status, mental status, and rational use of medicines were measured in a 25-35-minute questionnaire administration period. Results: The frailty scores of the participants were 1.65±1.22, rational use of medicines scores were 72.16±16.31, and mental status scores were 20.83±5.46. Rational use of medicines had a statistically significant negative correlation with frailty (r= -,314) and a statistically significant positive correlation with mental status (r= ,595**). There was a statistically significant difference in rational use of medicines according to polypharmacy, history of hospitalization, educational status, income, age, and cohabitant variables (p