Study Reveals Risks of Excessive Medication Use and Hospital Visits Among Older Adults

A recent study conducted by the University of Bath in the UK highlights that excessive and unnecessary medication, known as inappropriate polypharmacy, significantly increases the risk of emergency hospital admissions for seniors aged 65 and older. The research emphasizes that multiple medications, particularly those with sedative and anticholinergic effects, contribute to a higher chance of adverse health events leading to hospitalization.

The study utilized a comprehensive UK dataset and developed machine learning models to predict the likelihood of hospitalization within 30 days. Key predictors included the Drug Burden Index (DBI), which measures the cumulative impact of medications with sedative and anticholinergic properties, alongside factors like impaired mobility, history of falls or fractures, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Results demonstrated an approximately 75% accuracy in identifying at-risk individuals.

The findings shed light on the dangers of prescribing cascades, where side effects from one medication lead to additional prescriptions, compounding health risks. As older adults often manage chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis with multiple drugs, this escalating complexity can lead to harmful drug interactions and increased hospitalization risk.

Researchers suggest the development of a digital tool—potentially an app—that healthcare professionals can use to assess a patient's risk based on medication use, lifestyle, and health history. Such a tool could enable proactive adjustments to treatment plans and lifestyle interventions, preventing hospital visits and improving patient safety. The study underscores the importance of careful medication management in geriatric care and aims to enhance clinical decision-making to support safer aging.

While the research was based on UK data, the issue of polypharmacy is a global concern, with studies worldwide linking it to adverse outcomes. The team envisions early intervention strategies that combine technology and personalized assessments to reduce preventable hospitalizations, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes for older populations.

source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-medicines-hospital-highlights-hidden-older.html