The association of increased drugs use with activities of daily living and discharge outcome among elderly stroke patients

Background Few systematic studies have evaluated the association between drugs and functional recovery for geriatric patients after strokes in the convalescent stage. Objective To assess the association of increased drugs during hospitalization with activities of daily living and outcome among geriatric stroke patients. Setting This study was conducted at the convalescent rehabilitation ward in the Hitachinaka General Hospital in Japan. Methods This retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients aged >65 years who had experienced stroke between 2010 and 2016. The participants were classified into two groups according to their discharge destination: home discharge group and non-home discharge group. Multiple linear regression analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to examine the association of increased drugs with FIM gain and home discharge, respectively. Main outcome measures: The main outcome measures were Functional Independence Measure (FIM) gain and home discharge. Results In total, 417 participants (165 males and 252 females; mean age, 78.8 years) were assessed and classified into home discharge (n = 226) and non-home discharge (n = 191) groups. The median FIM score was 77 (interquartile range 57-96). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that increased use of drugs during hospitalization negatively correlated with FIM gain. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that increased use of drugs was independently associated with a low possibility of home discharge. Conclusion The increased use of drugs during hospitalization was negatively associated with both functional recovery and possibility of home discharge among geriatric stroke patients in a convalescent rehabilitation ward.