The Relationship Between Medication Use, Polypharmacy, and Frailty in Individuals Aged 65 and Over Presenting to Family Health Centers in Yenimahalle District of Ankara Province

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to investigate the relationship between medication use, polypharmacy, and frailty in individuals aged 65 and over who present to primary health care centers in the Yenimahalle district of Ankara, Türkiye.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in three Family Health Centers with a total of 300 elderly participants. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire, Fried’s Frailty Phenotype Scale (FFS), Gait Speed Test (GST), and the Timed Up and Go Test (TUG). Medications were classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) system. Statistical analysis included Chi-square, Spearman correlation, and multivariate logistic regression.
RESULTS: Among participants, 46.3% met the criteria for polypharmacy (≥5 medications). The overall frailty prevalence was 67.3%, and 63.8% of frail individuals had polypharmacy. A positive correlation was found between the total medication count and Fried frailty scores (ρ = 0.730; p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that polypharmacy (OR: 3.63) and poor physical performance on the TUG test (OR: 3.50) were independent risk factors for frailty
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The study highlights a significant association between polypharmacy and frailty in older adults. Routine medication reviews and frailty screenings in primary care settings may help improve geriatric health outcomes and reduce frailty-related complications.