Does Increased Medication Use among Seniors Increase Risk of Hospitalization and Emergency Department Visits?

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To examine the extent of the health risks of consuming multiple medications among the older population.

Data sources/study setting

Secondary data from the period 2004-2006. The study setting was the province of Ontario, Canada, and the sample consisted of individuals aged 65 years or older who responded to a national health survey.

Study design

We estimated a system of equations for inpatient and emergency department (ED) services to test the marginal effect of medication use on hospital services. We controlled for endogeneity in medication use with a two-stage residual inclusion approach appropriate for nonlinear models.

Principal findings

Increased prescription drug use has the effect of increasing the likelihood of both being admitted into hospital

SUBMITTER: Allin S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5517678 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature