A CROSS-SECTIONAL OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS AND POTENTIALLY INAPPROPRIATE MEDICATION USAGE AMONG OLDER ADULTS IN RESIDENT HOMES IN NORTHERN INDIA

Background: Older adults are at increased risk of potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use and adverse drug reactions(ADRs), particularly in residential care settings. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study wasconducted among 145 adults aged ≥60 years residing in three residential homes in Delhi and Gurugram. PIMs were assessedusing the 2023 AGS Beers Criteria. ADR causality was evaluated using the Naranjo Scale. Polypharmacy was defined as theuse of five or more medications. Results: PIM use was identified in 72 participants (49.7%), while ADRs occurred in 21(14.5%). Polypharmacy was present in 33 participants (22.8%). PIM use was significantly higher among participants withpolypharmacy than among those without polypharmacy (78.8% vs 41.1%; OR 5.33, 95% CI 2.13–13.31; p<0.001). ADRswere also more frequent with polypharmacy (33.3% vs 8.9%; OR 5.10, 95% CI 1.93–13.49; p<0.001). Polypharmacyindependently predicted greater ADR severity (aOR 4.31, 95% CI 1.52–12.22; p=0.006). Conclusion: PIM use was commonamong residential older adults. Polypharmacy was strongly associated with PIM use, ADR occurrence, and greater ADRseverity.