Medication use in a cohort of newly admitted nursing home residents (Ageing@NH) in relation to evolving physical and mental health

Abstract Background Medication use is high among nursing home (NH) residents, but there is a lack of longitudinal studies, determining medication use at admission and its evolution over time. Aim Describing the evolution of the medication use two years after entering a NH, compared to the baseline observations and exploring the relation to the physical and mental health. Methods Data from the observational prospective Ageing@NH study, based on an inception cohort of newly admitted residents at NHs (65+) was used, selecting those consenting and with medication chart available. Information about socio-demographic, functional and mental characteristics, as well as medication use, was collected at baseline, year 1 and year 2. Results Medication chart was available for n = 741 at baseline (mean age 83.8, 66% female), and for n = 342 residents in year 2. The mean number of total medications increased from 8.9 to 10.1 (p-value  p  . For residents with or evolving to dementia symptoms, decline in most medication groups was observed, especially in pain and sleeping medications, while antipsychotics use increased. Conclusion Although medication use was high, signs of deprescribing were noted when the physical and mental health of the residents declined.