O uso de medicamentos como fator de risco intrínseco de quedas em idosos: uma revisão de literatura.

Abstract

Falls are a public health problem common among elderly leading to serius injury and increasing costs of treatment. In general, the causes of falls in the older people are multifactorial, but the use of drugs is a common factor, significative and the possible prevention. The purpose of this paper was to identify studies about risk factors associated to falls in the older people, with enfhasis in the use of drugs, based on three databases from 1999 to 2004.The sample consisted of 26 papers, of which 12 were analyzed and discussed. The findings of the papers suggest which the use of more than three or four medications and the prescription of inappropriate medication use in older people increased risk of falls. Thus, the frequent evaluation the risks and benefits of medication use by elderly and restriction of specific classes inappropriate use are fundamental in prevention for falls. Keywords: Aging health; Falls; Risk factors; Use of drugs; Prevention