(De)Prescribing in Hospitalized Sarcopenic Geriatric Patients

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of a deprescribing pharmacotherapy approach to the STOPP-START approach (usual care) in geriatric patients with sarcopenia and polypharmacy. The main question it aims to answer is the number and type of medication that can be stopped in this population without being restarted within 6 months.After inclusion a medication review is performed by a team consisting of the researcher, a geriatrician and a hospital pharmacist, according to the protocol within which the patient was randomised. Participants are follow up at appointments after 1, 3 and 6 months. At these appointments, questionnaires are administered about the quality of life and complications related to medication.

Inclusion Criteria:Aged 70 years and olderBeing frail according the Groningen Frailty Indicator (GFI score >3)Severely sarcopenic according the European Working Group On Sarcopenia-2 criteria (EWGSOP-2) based on handgrip strength (men < 27kg and women < 16kg), appendicular skeletal muscle mass (men < 7,0 kg/m2 and women < 5,5 kg/m2) and physical function below cut-off values (Short Physical Performance Battery <9)The use of 5 or more different medications before hospitalizationExclusion Criteria:Being not instructibleHaving an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)No informed consent can be optained with the participant or a legal representative