Claudia A Cox1, Heike J van Jaarsveld2, Saskia Houterman3, John C G H van der Stegen4, Arthur T M Wasylewicz5, Rene J E Grouls5, Carolien M J van der Linden6. 1. Department of Geriatrics, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands; Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands. 2. Department of Geriatrics, Vlietland Hospital, Schiedam, the Netherlands. 3. Department of Education and Research, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands. 4. Vitalis WoonZorggroep, Eindhoven, the Netherlands. 5. Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands. 6. Department of Geriatrics, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Electronic address: carolien.vd.linden@catharinaziekenhuis.nl.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Falling is a common and serious problem in the elderly. Previous studies suggest that the use of psychotropic drugs increases the risk of falling. However, the contribution of these drugs on fall risk has not been quantified on a daily basis among the general population of nursing homes until now. OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between fall incidence and the prescription of psychotropic drugs and different categories of psychotropic drugs (antipsychotics, antidepressants, and benzodiazepines) among a general nursing home population. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study, data collection per person-day. SETTING: 9 nursing homes in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: 2368 nursing home residents, resulting in 538,575 person-days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Association between the prescription of psychotropic drugs and falls. RESULTS: A total of 2368 nursing home residents were included, which resulted in a data set of 538,575 person-days. Prescription of at least 1 psychotropic drug per day occurred during a total of 318,128 person-days (59.1%). Scheduled prescriptions with or without an as-needed prescription were involved in a total of 270,781 person-days (50.3%). The prescription of psychotropic drugs on a scheduled basis was found to be associated with almost a 3-fold increase in fall incidence (OR 2.88; 95% CI 1.52-5.44). An increase in fall incidence was found following the prescription of antipsychotics (OR 1.97; 95% CI 1.51-2.59) and antidepressants (OR 2.26; 95% CI 1.73-2.95). This increased fall risk was found for prescriptions on a scheduled basis as well as for prescriptions on an as-needed basis. CONCLUSION: The prescription of psychotropic drugs is associated with a strongly increased risk of falling among nursing home residents. To our knowledge, this is the first study among the general nursing home population in which the association between daily falls and daily prescriptions of psychotropic drugs and groups of psychotropic drugs was specified. Copyright Â
BACKGROUND:Falling is a common and serious problem in the elderly. Previous studies suggest that the use of psychotropic drugs increases the risk of falling. However, the contribution of these drugs on fall risk has not been quantified on a daily basis among the general population of nursing homes until now. OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between fall incidence and the prescription of psychotropic drugs and different categories of psychotropic drugs (antipsychotics, antidepressants, and benzodiazepines) among a general nursing home population. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study, data collection per person-day. SETTING: 9 nursing homes in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: 2368 nursing home residents, resulting in 538,575 person-days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Association between the prescription of psychotropic drugs and falls. RESULTS: A total of 2368 nursing home residents were included, which resulted in a data set of 538,575 person-days. Prescription of at least 1 psychotropic drug per day occurred during a total of 318,128 person-days (59.1%). Scheduled prescriptions with or without an as-needed prescription were involved in a total of 270,781 person-days (50.3%). The prescription of psychotropic drugs on a scheduled basis was found to be associated with almost a 3-fold increase in fall incidence (OR 2.88; 95% CI 1.52-5.44). An increase in fall incidence was found following the prescription of antipsychotics (OR 1.97; 95% CI 1.51-2.59) and antidepressants (OR 2.26; 95% CI 1.73-2.95). This increased fall risk was found for prescriptions on a scheduled basis as well as for prescriptions on an as-needed basis. CONCLUSION: The prescription of psychotropic drugs is associated with a strongly increased risk of falling among nursing home residents. To our knowledge, this is the first study among the general nursing home population in which the association between daily falls and daily prescriptions of psychotropic drugs and groups of psychotropic drugs was specified. Copyright Â
Authors: Daniel J Hoyle; Ivan K Bindoff; Lisa M Clinnick; Gregory M Peterson; Juanita L Westbury Journal: Drugs Aging Date: 2018-02 Impact factor: 3.923
Authors: Maike Schulz; Jonas Czwikla; Chrysanthi Tsiasioti; Antje Schwinger; Daniel Gand; Guido Schmiemann; Annika Schmidt; Karin Wolf-Ostermann; Stephan Kloep; Franziska Heinze; Heinz Rothgang Journal: Int J Equity Health Date: 2020-02-07
Authors: Van-Anh Thi Ha; Tam Ngoc Nguyen; Thanh Xuan Nguyen; Huong Thi Thu Nguyen; Thu Thi Hoai Nguyen; Anh Trung Nguyen; Thang Pham; Huyen Thi Thanh Vu Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-04-12 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Monidipa Dasgupta; Lyndsay Beker; Kim Schlegel; Loretta M Hillier; Lisa Joworski; Karli Crunican; Corrine Coulter Journal: Can Geriatr J Date: 2021-06-01