ASSOCIATION OF THE DRUG BURDEN INDEX WITH BALANCE IMPAIRMENT AND RECENT FALLS IN COMMUNITY- DWELLING OLDER ADULTS

Medications with anticholinergic and sedative properties, even when used in isolation, can negatively impact the physical performance of older adults. Managing complex pharmacological regimens in potentially multimorbid patients remains a significant challenge. This study aimed to examine the association between medication burden, as measured by the Drug Burden Index (DBI), and both postural balance and recent falls in community-dwelling older adults. Medication use was assessed through a structured questionnaire covering both prescribed and over-the-counter drugs taken chronically. The DBI was then calculated. Postural balance was evaluated using a BIOMEC400 force platform during a one-legged stance, and fall events over the previous six months were recorded. The sample consisted of 179 participants from a university outpatient clinic; 70.8% were female and 60.0% were white. A total of 75 participants (41.9%) had a low or high medication burden. These individuals demonstrated significantly worse balance across all parameters (Kruskal–Wallis test, p < 0.05). Additionally, medication burden was strongly associated with recent falls (Chi-square test for trend = 34.1, p < 0.0001). ROC curve analysis identified a DBI cut-off point of 0.5 as being associated with impaired balance. In conclusion, a DBI above 0.5 appears to increase the risk of balance impairment and falls in older adults. The DBI may therefore be a useful public health tool to identify high-risk individuals and support safer medication use in this population.