Investigation of the effects of polypharmacy and cardiac risk factors on balance, fall and functional independence in geriatric individuals.

Functionality, balance and fall problems of patients are very important in geriatric rehabilitation. On the other hand, in geriatric individuals, cardiac risk is increased and polypharmacy is very common. There are a limited number of studies in the literature examining these two. Therefore, in our study, we aimed to examine the relationship between polypharmacy and cardiac risk factors with balance, falls and functional independence in geriatric individuals. 64 volunteers aged 65 and over were included in the study. Participants who can walk independently and communicate verbally were included in the study. The "Patient Evaluation Form" in which demographic information and cardiac risk factors of the participants were questioned was recorded. Mini Mental Status Scale (MMDS) for cognitive status assessment, Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) to evaluate the physical activity level of elderly individuals, Berg Balance Scale (BDI) to evaluate the independence of daily living activities (FIM), Tinetti Balance and Gait Test (TST) was used to evaluate the risk of falling. SPSS package program was used to evaluate the data. Significance level was accepted as p <0.05. In the correlation analysis performed at the end of the study, a moderate inverse (negative) significant relationship was found between polypharmacy values and FIM, BDI, TST and PASE variables (p <0.05). Of the cardiac risk factors; A statistically significant negative correlation was found between age and serum glucose values variables and FIM, BDI, TST and PASE variables (p <0.05). No significant relationship between other cardiac risk factors and variables was found. There was no significant relationship between the Cardiac Risk Score and FIM, BDI, TST, PASE variables. In conclusion, age and serum glucose level among polypharmacy and cardiac risk factors in geriatric individuals; It was determined that other cardiac risk factors and cardiac risk score that negatively affect balance, falls and functional independence did not affect balance, falls and functional independence. In geriatric rehabilitation, it is predicted that taking polypharmacy and cardiac risks into consideration while planning approaches for balance and fall problems will increase the effectiveness of the practices. Key words: polypharmacy, cardiac risk factors, MMDS, FIM, PASE, TDYT, elderly person