Why the study?
Previous studies showed that approximately 20% of hospital readmissions are medication-related and 70% of these are possibly preventable, prompting investigation into risk factors for such readmissions within 30 days of discharge in older adults.
What are the risk factors for medication-related hospital readmissions within 30 days of discharge in older adults?
Population
360 older adults (≥65 years) readmitted within 30 days and 360 comparison patients
Comparison
Possibly or unlikely medication-related 30-day readmissions vs a comparison group
Design
Retrospective medical records study
Follow-up
30 days
Key result
Excessive polypharmacy (OR 1.74; 95% CI 1.07-2.81), medication dosage adjustments, and living alone significantly increased the odds of possibly medication-related 30-day hospital readmissions.
Authors
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Excessive polypharmacy may raise medication-related readmission risk; leaves open whether deprescribing interventions improve outcomes in prospective studies.
Observational (n=720)
What are the risk factors for medication-related hospital readmissions within 30 days of discharge in older adults?
Odds Ratio: 1.74 (95% CI 1.07–2.81)
In older adults, excessive polypharmacy, comorbidity burden, medication dosage adjustments at discharge, and living alone significantly increase the risk of medication-related 30-day hospital readmissions.
Glans et al. (2021) conducted an observational in Hospital readmission (n=720). Excessive polypharmacy, medication dosage adjustments, and living alone vs. Absence of these risk factors was evaluated on Possibly medication-related readmissions within 30 days of discharge (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.07-2.81). Excessive polypharmacy (OR 1.74; 95% CI 1.07-2.81), medication dosage adjustments, and living alone significantly increased the odds of possibly medication-related 30-day hospital readmissions.
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