Multiple Medications Hinder Recovery in Elderly Patients, Japanese Study Finds

Older adults discharged from hospitals on six or more medications are significantly less likely to regain independence during rehabilitation, according to a new Japanese study published in the journal BMC Geriatrics on December 17.

The retrospective observational study examined 1,903 patients aged 65 and older who underwent rehabilitation at a convalescent hospital in Japan between April 2017 and March 2024. Researchers focused specifically on patients with one of three conditions: cerebrovascular disease (disorders affecting the brain’s blood vessels), motor disorders (affecting movement and muscle control), or disuse syndrome (physical decline due to inactivity).

The findings revealed that 62.1% of patients were taking six or more medications—defined as polypharmacy—at the time of hospital discharge, with over 76% of these patients being 80 years or older. Patients with polypharmacy were more commonly prescribed benzodiazepine receptor agonists for anxiety or insomnia, laxatives, and psychotropic medications used to treat depression, anxiety, psychosis, and other mood disorders.

Researchers evaluated patients using the functional independence measure (FIM), which assesses how independently a person can perform everyday activities following illness or hospitalization. Those with polypharmacy who had cerebrovascular disease or disuse syndrome scored significantly lower on this measure compared to patients taking fewer medications. Interestingly, patients in the motor disorder group showed no correlation between multiple medication use and functional independence.

The negative effects of polypharmacy were particularly pronounced among adults over 80 years old and those recovering from stroke-related conditions or weakness due to prolonged inactivity. Based on these results, the researchers suggest that reviewing and potentially reducing unnecessary medications could significantly improve recovery outcomes for elderly patients undergoing rehabilitation.

Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News senior medical analyst, described polypharmacy in seniors as a “risky proposition” that requires careful monitoring.

“Even though each medication may have a purpose, often important, we must keep in mind that the ability to tolerate various medications and metabolize them efficiently diminishes as you get older,” he told Fox News Digital. “For example, a medication that sedates you or even has the potential to disorient you may be more likely to do so as you become elderly.”

Siegel added that drug interactions tend to increase as patients age, emphasizing that “sometimes, less is more” when it comes to medication management for older adults. He stressed that physicians must carefully monitor these interactions and medication effects in elderly patients.

The study authors acknowledged several limitations in their research. Due to its retrospective and observational design, the study does not establish a causal relationship between multiple medications and poorer rehabilitation outcomes. Additionally, the researchers lacked data on specific medication dosages and rehabilitation intensity. Since the study was conducted at a single hospital in Japan, the results may not be generalizable to broader populations.

The findings highlight growing concerns about medication management in elderly populations, especially during critical recovery periods. According to healthcare experts, polypharmacy has become increasingly common among older adults as they manage multiple chronic conditions, often under the care of several specialists who may not coordinate prescription plans.

Future research is needed to identify which specific medications most significantly impact recovery and to develop evidence-based approaches for optimizing prescription practices in elderly patients. Healthcare providers are encouraged to conduct thorough medication reviews when elderly patients transition from hospital care to rehabilitation settings to potentially improve recovery outcomes.