ACCEPTANCE OF DEPRESCRIBING - Recommendations for Fall Risk Increasing Medications - Study Results

Sep 29, 2026

Fall risk increasing medications (FRIMs) can impair balance and psychomotor function, elevating fall risk in older adults. A study assessed whether reporting the Drug Burden Index (DBI)—reflecting exposure to anticholinergic and sedative drugs—would change deprescribing decisions for FRIMs in older veterans at fall risk. From Jan 2020 to Sep 2024, a pharmacist reviewed FRIMs and notified primary care providers via the electronic medical record, with DBI shared in a subset.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Background and Purpose

Methods

Participant Characteristics

Results

Recommendation and DBI Sharing Effects

Impact of Pharmacy Intervention

Conclusion

FAQs

What problem does the study address regarding FRIMs?

FRIMs negatively affect balance and psychomotor functioning, increasing the risk of falls in older adults. The study targets how deprescribing decisions may be influenced in veterans at fall risk.

How was the Drug Burden Index (DBI) used in the intervention?

DBI was used to quantify total exposure to anticholinergic and sedative medications. In a subset of patients, DBI was reported to primary care providers alongside deprescribing recommendations.

Did sharing DBI increase acceptance of FRIM deprescribing recommendations?

No. Recommendation acceptance was higher when DBI was not shared (68% vs 43%), and DBI sharing did not appear to increase the acceptance of FRIM deprescribing recommendations by primary care providers.

Sep 29, 2026

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