Grip strength (GS) is widely used in various fields such as sports, rehabilitation, and geriatrics to assess muscle strength, and to diagnose sarcopenia and frailty in older adults. There is a potential for measurement differences among different dynamometers available, and studies comparing GS measurements by variable tools have conflicting results. The two most frequently used dynamometers are the Jamar hydraulic (Jamar) and spring-type hand grip dynamometers, and Jamar has not been compared to Jamar PLUS+ Digital (Jamar+) dynamometer in older adults. So, we aimed to assess GS measurements with the Jamar as the reference standard against Jamar+, and spring-type Takei T.KK. 5401 (Takei) digital dynamometers. One hundred and ten outpatients aged >60 years were included. Inter-instrumental reliability was determined. The differences between dynamometers were evaluated by Bland–Altman plots and measurement error. The measurements with Jamar+, and Takei dynamometers were reliable and valid regarding the Jamar dynamometer. Takei and Jamar+ dynamometers overestimated GS over the Jamar dynamometer. Though the differences in the measured values might be disregarded in clinical practice, individuals defined to have low GS varied by the use of different dynamometers. Grip strength better be measured by the same dynamometer in serial measurements of older individuals.

Inappropriate polypharmacy is highly prevalent among older adults and presents a significant healthcare concern. Conducting medication reviews and implementing deprescribing strategies in multimorbid older adults with polypharmacy are an inherently complex and challenging task. Recognizing this, the Special Interest Group on Pharmacology of the European Geriatric Medicine Society has compiled evidence on medication review and deprescribing in older adults and has formulated recommendations to enhance appropriate prescribing practices. The current evidence supports the need for a comprehensive and widespread transformation in education, guidelines, research, advocacy, and policy to improve the management of polypharmacy in older individuals. Furthermore, incorporating deprescribing as a routine aspect of care for the ageing population is crucial. We emphasize the importance of involving geriatricians and experts in geriatric pharmacology in driving, and actively participating in this transformative process. By doing so, we can work towards achieving optimal medication use and enhancing the well-being of older adults in the generations to come.

Purpose: Aging increases the prevalence of diseases. The elderly population is consequently often exposed to complex medication regimens. Increased drug use is one of the main reasons for drug-related problems (DRPs). The primary objective of this study was to define and classify DRPs, pharmacist interventions, and frequently prescribed medications in relation to possible DRPs in patients admitted to the geriatric ward of a teaching hospital in Turkey. Patients and methods: Pharmacist medication review reports for 200 orders of 91 patients (mean age: 80.33±0.46) were analyzed retrospectively. Results: A total of 1,632 medications were assessed and 329 interventions were proposed for possible DRPs in 156 orders. A total of 87.5% of the patients used five or more drugs (mean: 8.17±0.23). The number of DRPs per order was higher when polypharmacy was present (1.04±0.15 vs 1.66±0.11, P<0.05). In 71.31% of the cases, adverse drug events were recognized as the problem. The principal cause of possible DRPs was determined as drug interactions (40.12%). Only 22 potentially inappropriate medications were prescribed. The most common interventions included monitoring drug therapy (31.0%), stopping the drug (20.06%), and changing dosage (13.98%). The acceptance rate of pharmacist interventions by treating geriatrician was 85.41%. The most frequently prescribed drugs were for the nervous system, alimentary tract and metabolism, and cardiovascular system (n=358, 314, and 304, respectively). The pharmaceutical forms of 23 drugs were deemed inappropriate by pharmacists. Conclusion: Clinical pharmacy services are still not properly implemented in Turkey. The study highlights ways in which clinical pharmacy services can be instrumental in a geriatric ward. The high acceptance rates of pharmacist recommendations concerning a wide variety of DRPs and different classes of drugs indicate that advanced collaboration among geriatricians and pharmacists is possible in interdisciplinary geriatric assessment teams in Turkey.

Introduction: Intrinsic capacity (IC), as defined by the World Health Organization, represents the composite of an individual’s physical and mental capacities and provides a multidimensional framework for assessing older adults’ functional reserve. It includes five domains: locomotion, vitality, cognition, psychological well-being, and sensory function. This study aimed to examine the associations between IC domains and common geriatric syndromes in hospitalized older adults. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, 245 patients aged ≥ 60 years who underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment were included. IC was evaluated across five domains using standard tools: gait speed, self-reported sensory deficits, Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination (S-MMSE), Euro Quality of Life 5 Domain (EuroQOL-5D) and Mini Nutritional Assessment. The IC score ranges from 0 to 5, with higher scores indicating better intrinsic capacity, and a score ≤ 2 representing moderate–severe decline. Geriatric syndromes assessed were frailty, probable sarcopenia, falls, urinary incontinence, and functional impairments in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL). Logistic regression models identified predictive IC domains, adjusting for age, sex, polypharmacy, and comorbidity. Results: Nearly 60% of participants had moderate to severe IC decline (score ≤ 2). Vitality and locomotor impairments were the most common. Cognitive and vitality impairments were strongly associated with both ADL and IADL disability ( p < 0.001), while locomotor and vitality impairments predicted probable sarcopenia and frailty ( p < 0.01). Cognitive impairment was linked to a nearly six-fold increased fall risk (OR = 5.86, 95% CI: 2.51–13.68, p < 0.001). The models showed good discrimination, with an area under the curve value of 0.723 for falls and 0.854 for ADL disability. Conclusions: IC impairments, particularly in cognition, vitality, and locomotion, are prevalent and predictive of major geriatric syndromes in hospitalized older adults. Routine IC assessment may help identify at-risk individuals and inform targeted interventions.