Falls and Impaired Mobility

Falls are a rapidly growing global public health problem. Mostly falls result from several interacting risk factors, and key risk factors include impaired mobility and use of certain medications (fall risk-increasing drugs, FRIDs). In fact, falls are a common and often overlooked adverse drug event (ADE) in older persons. In this chapter, the evidence regarding FRIDs is being presented as well as the possible mechanisms why FRID use can lead to falls including cardiovascular, motoric, and central nervous system related ADEs. Special attention is given toward potential adverse effects of medication use on mobility. Finally, the evidence regarding the effectiveness of deprescribing (both as a single and as a part of multifactorial intervention) are being discussed, and practical guidance regarding medication management in older persons at risk for falls is given.