Key result
Community-dwelling older adults taking both psychotropic and opioid medications were 4.3 times more likely to report a fall compared to non-users (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.96-9.64).
Why the study?
Does the use of psychotropic, opioid, or cardiovascular medications increase the incidence of falls in community-dwelling adults 65 years and older?
Observational (n=509)
No
Does the use of psychotropic, opioid, or cardiovascular medications increase the incidence of falls in community-dwelling adults 65 years and older?
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
The concurrent use of psychotropic and opioid medications, as well as the use of anti-arrhythmic medications, significantly increases the risk of falls in community-dwelling older adults.
Background: Medications are one identifiable risk factor for falls. In addition to polypharmacy, certain medications have been associated with an increased risk for falls. The purpose of this study is to assess if the most frequently prescribed medication categories: psychotropic, opioid and cardiovascular are associated with an increased incidence of falls in community dwelling adults 65 years and older.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Peggy R. Trueblood (2018) conducted an observational in Fall incidence in community-dwelling older adults (n=509). Concurrent use of psychotropic and opioid medications vs. Non-users of these medications was evaluated on Incidence of falls (≥2 falls in the last 12 months) (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.96-9.64, p=<0.001). Community-dwelling older adults taking both psychotropic and opioid medications were 4.3 times more likely to report a fall compared to non-users (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.96-9.64).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: