The objectives of this study were to determine whether Drug Burden Index (DBI), a measure of individuals' exposure to anticholinergic and sedative drugs, and Beers criteria, an explicit measure of potentially inappropriate drug use, are associated with function in older adults living in low-level care facilities; and to compare DBI with Beers criteria as a predictor of function in older people.

The study population consisted of 115 residents living in low-level care facilities in Sydney, Australia.  Data on demographics, drugs, and comorbidities were collected.  Outcomes included objective measures of physical function Short Performance Physical Battery (SPPB) and grip strength.

In total, 50 (44%) participants were exposed to DBI drugs, 51 (44%) participants received at least 1 Beers criteria drug, and 30 (26%) were exposed to both.  After adjusting for confounders, for every unit increase in DBI, the SPPB score decreased by 1.3 (P = 0.04).  DBI was not associated with weaker grip strength.  Beers criteria were not associated with any of the outcomes.

In older adults living in self-care retirement villages, DBI was associated with impairments in physical functioning.  Exposure to Beers criteria drugs was common; however, Beers criteria did not predict functional outcomes in this population of older adults.