Cardiovascular and glucose-lowering medication use among older adults: results from 9-year follow-up of the FINGER trial
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the use of antihypertensive, lipid-lowering, antithrombotic, and glucose-lowering medication among the FINGER (Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability) population during a 9-year follow-up. Also, the effects of the FINGER intervention on and differences between sexes and age groups in medication use were studied. METHODS: Medication data for FINGER participants were retrieved from a national register annually, starting from the study baseline. FINGER was a two-year randomized controlled trial for older adults (n = 1259) at risk of cognitive impairment, who were randomly allocated to a multidomain lifestyle intervention or a control group. The intervention aimed at enhancing healthy lifestyle and to manage and monitor cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors. Generalized Estimation Equations were used to assess longitudinal changes in medication use. RESULTS: Cardiovascular and glucose-lowering medication use was common and increased over time among FINGER participants. The prevalences of medication use did not differ between the intervention and control groups. The use of cardiovascular and glucose-lowering medication was fairly similar between men and women. Older participants used more cardiovascular medication compared to younger participants throughout the follow-up. CONCLUSION: The increasing use of cardiovascular and glucose-lowering medication in this older population at risk of cognitive impairment reflects increasing cardiovascular and diabetes morbidity, management of these risks and diseases through medication, and possible changes in medical practices. Before drawing further conclusions about the effect of the intervention on medication use, its effect on treatment adjustments should be studied. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01041989, retrospectively registered 04/01/2010.
Source: European Geriatric Medicine
Institutions: Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, University of Eastern Finland, Karolinska Institutet, Imperial College London, University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Oulu, Oulu University Hospital, Kuopio University Hospital, Seinäjoen Keskussairaala, Karolinska University Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Geriatrics and Gerontology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,390
Funders: Yrjö Jahnssonin Säätiö, EU Joint Programme – Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Alzheimer's Research and Prevention Foundation, Kela, Academy of Finland, Suomen Kulttuurirahasto, Hjärnfonden, Juho Vainion Säätiö, Päivikki ja Sakari Sohlbergin Säätiö, Vetenskapsrådet, Sydäntutkimussäätiö, Sigrid Juséliuksen Säätiö, Forskningsrådet om Hälsa, Arbetsliv och Välfärd, Alzheimerfonden
OpenAlex ID: W4416957364