What is the Best Definition of Polypharmacy for Predicting Falls, Hospitalizations, and Mortality in Long-Term Care Facilities?

Residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are often exposed to polypharmacy.1 There is a possible association between polypharmacy and falls, hospitalizations, and mortality.2,3 Polypharmacy definition ranges between the use of more than 2 to 11 medications.4 The definition “9 or more regular medications” is the most common in LTCFs.5 Lack of a standard definition limits comparison of polypharmacy rates and adverse events. This study investigated evidence for an optimal cut-point to define polypharmacy in LTCFs to predict falls, hospitalizations, and mortality.