Drug related falls: a study in the French Pharmacovigilance database

Fall-risk-increasing adverse reactions-is there value in easily accessible drug information? A case-control study

PURPOSE

The individual fall risk of a patient is often multifactorial. Polymedication contributes to an additional risk of fall-risk-increasing adverse reactions (FRIARs). Previous studies have not sufficiently investigated the complexity facing prescribers when balancing the therapeutic benefits of individual drugs against their potential fall risk.

METHODS

An expert panel identified drugs with FRIARs based on the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC). These FRIARs and other parameters (such as the total number of drugs, dosage, dose adjustments, and drug changes) were then analyzed for their impact on falls in a case-control study using logistic regression.

RESULTS

During a 1-year period, 112 (1%) of 11,481 hospital patients experienced at least one fall event. Complete data was available for evaluation from 87 of them (case group). We matched these patients to another 87 patients who had no fall events (control group). FRIAR drugs were more frequently prescribed in the case group (4.26 (Q25-Q75, 3.75-4.78) per patient; p = 0.033) than in the control group (3.48 (2.97-3.99)). Drugs with FRIARs (β = 0.137; p = 0.035) and the total number of FRIARs (β = 0.033; p = 0.031) increased the fall risk. The total number of drugs, dosage, dose adjustments, and drug changes showed no influence.

CONCLUSIONS

FRIARs were associated with a higher number of falls. To consider FRIARs offers a chance to address the complexity of the individual medication. This data can support future computerized physician order entries with clinical decision support.

Factors Affecting Walking Speed in Schizophrenia Patients

Objective

This study investigated the factors affecting walking speed in schizophrenia patients who were inpatients at a psychiatric hospital.

Methods

The study subjects were 37 patients with schizophrenia who were hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital. The measured assessment items included age, duration of hospitalization, duration of disease, muscle strength (30-s chair stand test), balance ability (one-leg standing time with eyes open/closed, Functional Reach Test, and Timed Up & Go Test), flexibility (long sitting position toe-touching distance), walking speed (10-m maximum walking speed), and the antipsychotic drug intake.

Results

The walking speed was found to be correlated with the results of the 30-s chair stand test, the one-leg standing time with eyes open, the one-leg standing time with eyes closed, and the Timed Up & Go Test. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that only the Timed Up & Go Test results affected walking speed.

Conclusion

In schizophrenia patients, walking speed is influenced by balance and lower-limb muscle force, just as it is for patients without mental diseases. In schizophrenia patients, the dynamic balance ability has a strong influence on the walking speed.

Factors inducing falling in schizophrenia patients

[Purpose] The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors causing falling among patients with schizophrenia hospitalized in psychiatric hospitals. [Subjects and Methods] The study subjects were divided into either those having experienced a fall within the past one year (Fall group, 12 patients) and those not having experienced a fall (Non-fall group, 7 patients), and we examined differences between the two groups. Assessment items measured included muscle strength, balance ability, flexibility, body composition assessment, Global Assessment of Functioning scale (GAF), the antipsychotic drug intake, and Drug Induced Extra-Pyramidal Symptoms Scale (DIEPSS). [Results] As a result, significant differences were observed in regard to One leg standing time with eyes open, Time Up and Go Test (TUGT), and DIEPSS Sialorrhea between the Fall group and the Non-fall group. [Conclusion] These results suggest that a decrease in balance ability was significantly correlated with falling in schizophrenia patients.

Impact of Drug Use and Comorbidities on In-Hospital Falls in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Background:

In-hospital falls are a major problem in healthcare institutions and contribute to morbidity and mortality in this setting. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) were previously found to be at higher risk for experiencing an in-hospital fall.

Objective:

To evaluate the association between comorbidities and drug use with the risk of in-hospital falls in adults with CKD.

Methods:

A retrospective case-control study was conducted in patients with CKD hospitalized between January 1, 1998, and June 30, 2003. Cases included patients who experienced an in-hospital fait, were 18 years of age or older, and had been hospitalized for more than 24 hours. For every case, 2 controls were identified and matched for CKD, age, and sex. Information about comorbidities and drug use was collected from an electronic medical data repository. Statistical tests performed were t-tests, χ2 analysis, and multivariate logistic regression, using occurrence of a fall as the dependent variable and race, comorbidities, and drug groups as covariates.

Results:

There were 635 fall cases that met study criteria. The mean age of patients was 68 ± 15 years, 54% were female, and 82% were white. There were 1270 matched controls with CKD who were included in the regression analysis. Comorbidities that increased the likelihood of experiencing an in-hospital fall were dementia (OR 2.63), pneumonia (OR 1.72), gastrointestinal disease (OR 1.41), and diabetes (OR 1.31). Drugs associated with an in-hospital fall were antidepressants (OR 1.65) and anticonvulsants (OR 1.52).

Conclusions:

Several comorbidities, especially dementia, significantly increase the risk of experiencing an in-hospital fall in patients with CKD. Drugs that place CKD patients at risk include antidepressants and anticonvulsants.

Optimization of Clonazepam Therapy Adjusted to Patient's CYP3A Status and NAT2 Genotype

BACKGROUND

The shortcomings of clonazepam therapy include tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and adverse effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, and confusion leading to increased risk of falls. Inter-individual variability in the incidence of adverse events in patients partly originates from the differences in clonazepam metabolism due to genetic and nongenetic factors.

METHODS

Since the prominent role in clonazepam nitro-reduction and acetylation of 7-amino-clonazepam is assigned to CYP3A and N-acetyl transferase 2 enzymes, respectively, the association between the patients' CYP3A status (CYP3A5 genotype, CYP3A4 expression) or N-acetyl transferase 2 acetylator phenotype and clonazepam metabolism (plasma concentrations of clonazepam and 7-amino-clonazepam) was evaluated in 98 psychiatric patients suffering from schizophrenia or bipolar disorders.

RESULTS

The patients' CYP3A4 expression was found to be the major determinant of clonazepam plasma concentrations normalized by the dose and bodyweight (1263.5±482.9 and 558.5±202.4ng/mL per mg/kg bodyweight in low and normal expressers, respectively, P<.0001). Consequently, the dose requirement for the therapeutic concentration of clonazepam was substantially lower in low-CYP3A4 expresser patients than in normal expressers (0.029±0.011 vs 0.058±0.024mg/kg bodyweight, P<.0001). Furthermore, significantly higher (about 2-fold) plasma concentration ratio of 7-amino-clonazepam and clonazepam was observed in the patients displaying normal CYP3A4 expression and slower N-acetylation than all the others.

CONCLUSION

Prospective assaying of CYP3A4 expression and N-acetyl transferase 2 acetylator phenotype can better identify the patients with higher risk of adverse reactions and can facilitate the improvement of personalized clonazepam therapy and withdrawal regimen.

Effects of a geriatric intervention aiming to improve quality care in nursing homes on benzodiazepine use and discontinuation

BACKGROUND

Benzodiazepines and "Z drugs" are often prescribed in residents of nursing homes (NH) despite their well-known deleterious effects. We aimed to investigate if a general intervention on quality of care led to discontinuation of benzodiazepine, and to examine which NH-related factors were associated in change of benzodiazepines use.

METHODS

IQUARE is a quasi-experimental study, investigating the impact of an intervention based on a geriatric education with NH staff on several quality indicators of care (including appropriate prescriptions). All participating NH received an initial and 18-month audit regarding drug prescriptions and other quality of care variables. The analysis included 3973 residents, 2151 subjects (mean age: 84.6 ± 8.5 years; 74.3% women) in the control group and 1822 (mean age: 85.5 ± 8.1 years; 77.4% women) in the intervention group. Outcomes at 18 months were benzodiazepines use, long-acting benzodiazepines use, new-use of benzodiazepines, and discontinuation. The effect of the intervention was investigated using mixed-effect logistic regression models, including NH variables and residents' health status as confounders.

RESULTS

Higher reductions in benzodiazepine use (-2.8% vs. -1.5%) and long-acting benzodiazepine (-3.7% vs. -3.5%) were observed in intervention group, but not statistically significant. None of the structural and organisational NH-related variables predicted either discontinuation or new-use of benzodiazepines; hospitalisations and initial use of meprobamate increased the likelihood of becoming a new-user of benzodiazepines. Multivariate analysis suggested that living in a particular NH could affect benzodiazepines discontinuation.

CONCLUSIONS

A general intervention designed to improve overall NH quality indicators did not succeed in reducing benzodiazepines use. External factors interfered with the intervention. Further studies are needed to examine which NH-related aspects could impact benzodiazepines discontinuation.

Cause or Effect? Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Falls in Older Adults: A Systematic Review

A 2012 update of the Beers criteria categorizes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as potentially inappropriate medications in all older adults based on fall risk. The application of these recommendations, not only to frail nursing home residents, but to all older adults, may lead to changes in health policy or clinical practice with harmful consequences. A systematic review of studies on the association between SSRIs and falls in older adults was conducted to examine the evidence for causation. Twenty-six studies met the inclusion criteria. The majority of studies were observational and suggest an association between SSRIs and falls. The direction of the relationship--causation or effect--cannot be discerned from this type of study. Standardized techniques for determining likely causation were then used to see if there was support for the hypothesis that SSRIs lead to falls. This analysis did not suggest causation was likely. There is no Level 1 evidence that SSRIs cause falls. Therefore, changes in the current treatment guidelines or policies on the use of SSRIs in older adults based on fall risk may not be justified at this time given the lack of an established evidence base. Given its significance to public health, well-designed experimental studies are required to address this question definitively.

Prevalence and impact of fall-risk-increasing drugs, polypharmacy, and drug-drug interactions in robust versus frail hospitalised falls patients: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Several measures of medication exposure are associated with adverse outcomes in older people. Exposure to and the clinical outcomes of these measures in robust versus frail older inpatients are not known.

OBJECTIVE

In older robust and frail patients admitted to hospital after a fall, we investigated the prevalence and clinical impact of fall-risk-increasing drugs (FRIDs), total number of medications, and drug-drug interactions (DDIs).

METHODS

Patients ≥60 years of age admitted with a fall to a tertiary referral teaching hospital in Sydney were recruited and frailty was assessed. Data were collected at admission, discharge, and 2 months after admission.

RESULTS

A total of 204 patients were recruited (mean age 80.5 ± 8.3 years), with 101 robust and 103 frail. On admission, compared with the robust, frail participants had significantly higher mean ± SD number of FRIDs (frail 3.4 ± 2.2 vs. robust 1.6 ± 1.5, P < 0.0001), total number of medications (9.8 ± 4.3 vs. 4.4 ± 3.3, P < 0.0001), and DDI exposure (35 vs. 5 %, P = 0.001). Number of FRIDs on discharge was significantly associated with recurrent falls [odds ratio (OR) 1.7 (95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.3-2.1)], which were most likely to occur with 1.5 FRIDs in the frail and 2.5 FRIDs in the robust. Number of medications on discharge was also associated with recurrent falls [OR 1.2 (1.0-1.3)], but DDIs were not.

CONCLUSION

Exposure to FRIDs and other measures of high-risk medication exposures is common in older people admitted with falls, especially the frail. Number of FRIDs and to a lesser extent total number of medicines at discharge were associated with recurrent falls.

Medications prescribed and occurrence of falls in general medicine inpatients

BACKGROUND

Although falls are multifactorial, medications are a key risk factor that may be modifiable. Falls were among the most common occurrences entered into a risk identification system at the authors' hospital.

OBJECTIVES

To identify whether general medicine inpatients who had experienced a fall were taking any medications known to be associated with falls.

METHODS

The literature was reviewed to develop a list of high-risk medications that have been associated with falls. In a retrospective quality-improvement database-based study, information from the risk identification system was merged with data from the pharmacy dispensing system for general medicine inpatients who had experienced a fall. The primary end point was the percentage of patients with a documented fall who had a prescription for a high-risk medication. The number of such medications that had been prescribed for patients who fell was also calculated.

RESULTS

Eighty-one unique medications were found to be associated with falls. During the study period (April 1, 2008, to March 31, 2009), 151 patients experienced a fall. Of those, 144 (95.4%) were taking at least one high-risk medication. The mean number of high-risk medications per patient who experienced a fall was 2.2. Of all documented falls, a new high-risk medication had been started within 7 days before the fall for 74 (49.0%) and within 24 h before the fall for 17 (11.3%). The most commonly prescribed drugs during all time periods (i.e., within 24 h or 7 days before the fall or since the patient's admission) were lorazepam and zopiclone. The pharmacy database did not track administration of medications, so it is possible that some of the drugs prescribed were not actually taken by the patient.

CONCLUSION

Almost all inpatients who experienced a fall during the hospital stay had a prescription for at least one medication associated with a high risk for falls. Lorazepam and zopiclone were the drugs most commonly associated with falls in this hospital, and their use should be reviewed.

Correlates of potentially inappropriate prescriptions of benzodiazepines among older adults: results from the ESA study

ESA study data were paired with Quebec medical and pharmaceutical services records to document potentially inappropriate benzodiazepines (Bzs) prescriptions among community-dwelling adults aged 65 and older. Results indicate that 32 per cent of respondents took a mean daily dose of 6.1 mg of equivalent diazepam for, on average, 205 days per year. Almost half (48%) of Bzs users received a potentially inappropriate benzodiazepine prescription at least once during the year preceding the survey. About 23 per cent received at least one concomitant prescription of a Bz and another drug that could result in serious interaction. In addition, individuals aged 75 and older were more likely to receive Bzs for a longer period of time than those aged 65-74. Number of pharmacies used was associated with inappropriate Bzs prescriptions. Our results argue in favour of a more integrated health services system, including a regular review of older adults' drug regimens.

Drugs for insomnia

INTRODUCTION

Sleep is a vital neurochemical process involving sleep-promoting and arousal centers in the brain. Insomnia is a pervasive disorder characterized by difficulties in initiating or maintaining or non-refreshing (poor quality) sleep and clinically significant daytime distress. Insomnia is more prevalent in women and old age and puts sufferers at significant physical and mental health risks. This review summarizes published data on the current and emerging insomnia drug classes, rationale for development and associated risks/benefits. (Summary of Product Characteristics and Medline search on "hypnotic" or specific drug names and "Insomnia").

AREAS COVERED

GABA(A) receptor modulators facilitate sleep onset and some improve maintenance but increase risk of dependence, memory, cognitive and psychomotor impairments, falls, accidents and mortality. Melatonin receptor agonists improve quality of sleep and/or sleep onset but response may develop over several days. They have more benign safety profiles and are indicated for milder insomnia, longer usage and (prolonged release melatonin) older patients. Histamine H-1 receptor antagonists improve sleep maintenance but their effects on cognition, memory and falls remain to be demonstrated. Late-stage pipeline orexin OX1/OX2 and serotonin 5HT2A receptor antagonists may hold the potential to address several unmet needs in insomnia pharmacotherapy but safety issues cast some doubts over their future.

EXPERT OPINION

Current and new insomnia drugs in the pipeline target different sleep regulating mechanisms and symptoms and have different tolerability profiles. Drug selection would ideally be based on improvement in the quality of patients' sleep, overall quality of life and functional status weighed against risk to the individual and public health.

The Role of Medications in Predicting Activity Restriction Due to a Fear of Falling

Objectives: To examine the role of medication use and other factors in predicting activity restriction due to a fear of falling (AR/FF). Methods: Older adults were assessed twice with the interRAI Community Health Assessment and the Berg Balance Scale (BBS). The main outcome was limiting going outdoors due to an AR/FF. Medications were recorded by trained assessors. Results: Participants ( n = 441) had a mean age of 80.3 ( SD = 7.1) years, most were aged 65+ (96.8%) and 29.3% reported activity restriction. Taking nervous system active or cardiovascular medications was associated with AR/FF. In a multivariate model, the main predictors were having 3+ comorbid health conditions, lower (i.e., worse) scores on the BBS, having difficulty with climbing stairs, and having a visual impairment. Discussion: Modifiable risk factors, related to functional impairments, such as difficulties with balance and vision, appear to be more important predictors than medications.

Psychotropic medication use among elderly nursing home residents in Slovenia: cross-sectional study

AIM

To determine the prevalence of psychotropic medication prescribing in elderly nursing home residents in Slovenia and to explore the residents', physicians', and nursing home characteristics associated with prescribing.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study, we collected the data for 2040 nursing home residents aged 65 years and older in 12 nursing homes in Slovenia between September 25 and November 30, 2006. Prescribed medications lists were retrieved from patients' medical records. Psychotropic medications were coded according to Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification 2005, which we adjusted for the purposes of the study. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the residents', physicians', and nursing home characteristics associated with prescribing.

RESULTS

Residents were from 65 to 104 years old (median, 83 years) and 1606 (79%) of them were female. A total of 970 (48%) residents had dementia and 466 had depression (23%). In 1492 (73%) residents, at least one psychotropic medication was prescribed. Nine hundred sixty residents were prescribed hypnotics and sedatives (47%), 572 (28%) antipsychotics, 460 (23%) antidepressants, and 432 (21%) anxiolytics. Residents' characteristics associated with psychotropic medication use were female sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.80), age (OR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.95-0.98), permanent restlessness (OR, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.71-3.78), dementia (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.33-2.34), depression (OR, 5.51; 95% CI, 3.50-7.58), and the number of prescribed medications (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.23-1.35). Of physicians' characteristics (sex, age, specialization in general practice, years of working experiences as a general practitioner, and years of experiences working in a nursing home), male sex was associated with psychotropic medication prescribing (OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.17-2.76).

CONCLUSION

Frequency of psychotropic medication prescribing in elderly nursing home residents in Slovenia is high and is comparable to Western European countries. Our next step should be optimizing the prescribing in patients with the highest prescription rate.

Research priorities for high-quality geriatric emergency care: medication management, screening, and prevention and functional assessment

BACKGROUND

Geriatric adults represent an increasing proportion of emergency department (ED) users and can be particularly vulnerable to acute illnesses. Health care providers have recently begun to focus on the development of quality indicators (QIs) to define a minimal standard of care.

OBJECTIVES

The original objective of this project was to develop additional ED-specific QIs for older patients within the domains of medication management, screening and prevention, and functional assessment, but the quantity and quality of evidence were insufficient to justify unequivocal minimal standards of care for these three domains. Accordingly, the authors modified the project objectives to identify key research opportunities within these three domains that can be used to develop QIs in the future.

METHODS

Each domain was assigned one or two content experts who created potential QIs based on a systematic review of the literature, supplemented by expert opinion. Candidate QIs were then reviewed by four groups: the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) Geriatric Task Force, the SAEM Geriatric Interest Group, and audiences at the 2008 SAEM Annual Meeting and the 2009 American Geriatrics Society Annual Meeting, using anonymous audience response system technology as well as verbal and written feedback.

RESULTS

High-quality evidence based on patient-oriented outcomes was insufficient or nonexistent for all three domains. The participatory audiences did not reach a consensus on any of the proposed QIs. Key research questions for medication management (three), screening and prevention (two), and functional assessment (three) are presented based on proposed QIs that the majority of participants accepted.

CONCLUSIONS

In assessing a minimal standard of care by which to systematically derive geriatric QIs for medication management, screening and prevention, and functional assessment, compelling clinical research evidence is lacking. Patient-oriented research questions that are essential to justify and characterize future QIs within these domains are described.

Psychotropic drug use among older people in general practice: discrepancies between opinion and practice

BACKGROUND

The use of psychotropic drugs has increased over recent years in France. GPs are the first prescribers, especially for older patients.

AIM

To analyse discrepancies between GPs' opinions and practice when prescribing psychotropic drugs to older patients.

SETTING

Postal surveys sent to GPs all over mainland France.

DESIGN OF STUDY

Cross-sectional postal study.

METHOD

A questionnaire collected data on characteristics of GPs' practices, their opinions about psychotropic drug consumption in older people, and a full description of their last older patient receiving a psychotropic drug and seen last by the GP on that particular day.

RESULTS

A total of 350 participating GPs saw 2498 patients aged > or =65 years. Among these patients, the prevalence of psychotropic use was 32.1% (803/2498) for anxiolytics/hypnotics, and 17.5% for antidepressants (438/2498). A total of 91% of GPs agreed that it was possible to reduce or stop psychotropic drugs for these patients. Characteristics of 339 patients taking psychotropic drug were reported: 85.8% (291/339) received at least one anxiolytic/hypnotic and 56.9% (193/339) received at least one antidepressant; there were prescribed for more than 1 year in 68.4% (199/291) and 43.5% (84/193) of the cases respectively. GPs stated that it was possible to reduce or stop anxiolytic/hypnotic drugs for only 27% (79/291) of these patients. Barriers to doing this were patients' refusal (79%), and the absence of any local offer of psychotherapy (73%) or alternative therapy (70%).

CONCLUSION

A mismatch exists between GPs' intent (91%) and practice (27%) regarding reduction of psychotropic prescription in individuals aged > or =65 years. The barriers encountered should be examined further to help physicians improve management of psychotropic prescription.

Anticholinergic activity of commonly prescribed medications and neuropsychiatric adverse events in older people

This study sought to determine whether the presence of in vitro anticholinergic activity (AA) among different drugs is associated with reporting of neuropsychiatric adverse events (NPAEs) and whether age affects this relationship. Retrospective case/noncase analyses using Australia's spontaneous Adverse Drug Reaction System (ADRS) database containing 150 475 reports determined crude and adjusted reporting odds ratios (RORs) for NPAEs for 23 drugs with various reported in vitro AA. Covariates were age (treated as a dichotomous variable [> or =65 years]), gender, and concomitant use of antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants, and drugs with recognized inherent anticholinergic properties (anticholinergic drugs). The interaction effect between these covariates and each drug exposure category was examined. Age (> or =65 years) has a significant association with greater odds relative to younger age for reporting NPAEs. Drugs with reported significant AA in vitro were not always associated with RORs greater than 1 for reporting NPAEs, highlighting a dissonance between the in vitro AA index and ADRS observations. Significant interactions were observed between age (> or =65 years) and exposure to cimetidine, anticholinergic drugs, antipsychotics, and tricyclic antidepressants in modifying odds for reporting NPAEs, reinforcing the need for cautious use and monitoring of drugs with AA in older people.

Antidepressants and falls in the elderly

Antidepressants have long been recognized as a contributory factor to falls and many studies show an association between antidepressants and falls. There are extensive data for tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and related drugs, and for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), but few data for other classes of antidepressants. Sedation, insomnia and impaired sleep, nocturia, impaired postural reflexes and increased reaction times, orthostatic hypotension, cardiac rhythm and conduction disorders, and movement disorders have all been postulated as contributing factors to falls in patients taking antidepressants. Sleep disturbance is a cardinal feature of depression, and all antidepressants have effects on sleep. TCAs and related drugs cause marked sedation with daytime drowsiness. SSRIs and related drugs have an alerting effect, impairing sleep duration and quality and causing insomnia, which may result in nocturia and daytime drowsiness. Daytime drowsiness is a significant risk factor for falls, both in untreated depression and in depression treated with antidepressants. Clinically significant orthostatic hypotension is common with TCAs and related drugs, the older monoamine oxidase inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). It occurs less commonly with SSRIs, and rarely with moclobemide and bupropion, and is not reported as a significant adverse effect of hypericum (St John's wort). Cardiac rhythm and conduction disturbances are well recognized with TCAs, tetracyclics and SNRIs, but have also been reported with SSRIs. The contribution of antidepressant-induced conduction and rhythm disturbances to falls cannot be assessed with current data. There are insufficient data to exonerate any individual antidepressant or class of antidepressants as a potential cause of falls. The magnitude of the increased risk of falling with an antidepressant is about the same as the excess risk found in patients with untreated depression.

Association between risk factors for injurious falls and new benzodiazepine prescribing in elderly persons

Background

Benzodiazepines are frequently prescribed to elderly patients' despite concerns about adverse effects leading to injurious falls. Previous studies have not investigated the extent to which patients with pre-existing risk factors for falls are prescribed benzodiazepines. The objective of this study is to assess if some of the risk factors for falls are associated with new benzodiazepine prescriptions in elderly persons.

Methods

Using provincial administrative databases, elderly Quebec residents were screened in 1989 for benzodiazepine use and non-users were followed for up to 5 years. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate potential predictors of new benzodiazepine use among patient baseline characteristics.

Results

In the 252,811 elderly patients who had no benzodiazepine prescription during the baseline year (1989), 174,444 (69%) never filled a benzodiazepine prescription and 78,367 (31%) filled at least one benzodiazepine prescription. In the adjusted analysis, several risk factors for falls were associated with statistically significant increases in the risk of receiving a new benzodiazepine prescription including the number of prescribing physicians seen at baseline (OR: 1.12; 95% CI 1.11–1.13), being female (OR: 1.20; 95% CI 1.18–1.22) or a diagnosis of arthritis (OR: 1.11; 95% CI 1.09–1.14), depression (OR: 1.42; 95% CI 1.35–1.49) or alcohol abuse (OR: 1.24; 95% CI 1.05–1.46). The strongest predictor for starting a benzodiazepine was the use of other medications, particularly anti-depressants (OR: 1.85; 95% CI 1.75–1.95).

Conclusion

Patients with pre-existing conditions that increase the risk of injurious falls are significantly more likely to receive a new prescription for a benzodiazepine. The strength of the association between previous medication use and new benzodiazepine prescriptions highlights an important medication safety issue.

Characteristics of falls producing hip fractures in nonagenarians

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the characteristics associated with falls causing hip fracture in patients 90 years of age or older (nonagenarians). A second objective was to compare these characteristics with those present in younger patients (65-79 year-olds).

DESIGN

Prospective, observational study.

SETTING

Six hospitals in Barcelona (Spain) and its surrounding area.

PARTICIPANTS

105 nonagenarians diagnosed with hip fracture after a fall. Most patients were women (78; 74%), with a mean age of 92.2+/-2 years. All of them were living in the community, except for eight institutionalized patients. 221 patients aged 65 to 79 composed the younger patient's comparison group.

MEASUREMENTS

Characteristics of falls causing hip fracture were analyzed: location, time and the risk factor for the fall, classified as intrinsic, extrinsic or combined.

RESULTS

The mean number of falls in the previous year was 1.5 - 22% of the patients reported having fallen two or more times. Falls usually happened while at home (70%) and during the day (64%). An intrinsic risk factor was considered the most likely cause in 37% of the cases, an extrinsic risk factor in 35%, and a combination in 28%. Multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that nonagenarians were characterized by lower BI scores, more falls happening during night time, a higher use of, benzodiazepines and diuretics, and a lower use of non-benzodiazepinic hypnotics.

CONCLUSIONS

Most falls causing hip fracture in nonagenarians happen during the day and at home. Falls in nonagenarians happening more frequently during nighttime, and these oldest subjects had lower BI scores, and a higher use of benzodiazepines and diuretics and less use of non-benzodiazepines hypnotics compared with the younger patients.

Benzodiazepines in epilepsy: pharmacology and pharmacokinetics

Benzodiazepines (BZDs) remain important agents in the management of epilepsy. They are drugs of first choice for status epilepticus and seizures associated with post-anoxic insult and are also frequently used in the treatment of febrile, acute repetitive and alcohol withdrawal seizures. Clinical advantages of these drugs include rapid onset of action, high efficacy rates and minimal toxicity. Benzodiazepines are used in a variety of clinical situations because they have a broad spectrum of clinical activity and can be administered via several routes. Potential shortcomings of BZDs include tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, adverse events, such as cognitive impairment and sedation, and drug interactions. Benzodiazepines differ in their pharmacologic effects and pharmacokinetic profiles, which dictate how the drugs are used. Among the approximately 35 BZDs available, a select few are used for the management of seizures and epilepsy: clobazam, clonazepam, clorazepate, diazepam, lorazepam and midazolam. Among these BZDs, clorazepate has a unique profile that includes a long half-life of its active metabolite and slow onset of tolerance. Additionally, the pharmacokinetic characteristics of clorazepate (particularly the sustained-release formulation) could theoretically help minimize adverse events. However, larger, controlled studies of clorazepate are needed to further examine its role in the treatment of patients with epilepsy.

Benzodiazepines and injurious falls in community dwelling elders

BACKGROUND

Benzodiazepines are frequently used medications in the elderly, in whom they are associated with an increased risk of falling, with sometimes dire consequences.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the impact of benzodiazepine-associated injurious falls in a population of elderly persons.

METHOD

A nested case-control study was conducted using data collected during 10 years of follow-up of the French PAQUID (Personnes Agées QUID) community-based cohort. The main outcome measure was the occurrence of an injurious fall, which was defined as a fall resulting in hospitalization, fracture, head trauma or death. Controls (3 : 1) were frequency-matched to cases. Benzodiazepine exposure was the use of benzodiazepines over the previous 2 weeks reported at the follow-up visit preceding the fall.

RESULTS

Benzodiazepine use was significantly associated with the occurrence of injurious falls, with a significant interaction with age. The adjusted odds ratio for injurious falls in subjects exposed to benzodiazepines was 2.2 (95% CI 1.4, 3.4) in subjects aged > or = 80 years and 1.3 (95% CI 0.9, 1.9) in subjects aged <80 years. The population attributable risk for injurious falls in subjects exposed to benzodiazepines was 28.1% (95% CI 16.7, 43.2) for subjects aged > or =80 years. The incidence of injurious falls in subjects aged > or = 80 years exposed to benzodiazepines in the PAQUID cohort was 2.8/100 person-years. Over 9% of these falls were fatal. According to these results and to recent population estimates, benzodiazepine use could be held responsible for almost 20 000 injurious falls in subjects aged > or = 80 years every year in France, and for nearly 1800 deaths.

CONCLUSION

Given the considerable morbidity and mortality associated with benzodiazepine use and the fact that existing good practice guidelines on benzodiazepines have not been effective in preventing their misuse (possibly because they have not been applied), new methods for limiting use of benzodiazepines in the elderly need to be found.

Falls in nonagenarians living in their own homes: the Nonasantfeliu study

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the prevalence of falls and their circumstances in non-institutionalized people older than 89 years and living in an urban community.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional cohort study.

SETTING

Community-based study.

PARTICIPANTS

137 nonagenarians living at home.

MEASUREMENTS

We evaluated sociodemographic data, capacity to perform basic activities according to the Barthel Index (BI) and instrumental activities on the Lawton-Brody Index (LI), cognition with the Spanish version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MEC), near visual acuity by the Snellen test, and auditory acuity with the whisper test.

RESULTS

Ninety-nine women (72%) and 38 men with an average age of 93.07 years (0.7) were included. 48.1% of them had suffered a fall during the last year, and in 20% of cases this had happened on more than one occasion. In 5.7% of cases, falls led to fractures. Factors associated with falls were a lower LI and a greater number of prescribed drugs. In the multivariate analysis the only factor related to falls was the number of drugs taken (p>0.001, odds ratio 0.785, 95% confidence interval 0.676-0.912).

CONCLUSIONS

Measures to prevent falls among nonagenarians should be intensified due to their high frequency. In this age group the increase in the percentage of falls is mainly related to the higher number of drugs taken.

Inappropriate prescribing in geriatric patients

Inappropriate prescribing in older people is a common condition associated with significant morbidity, mortality, and financial costs. Medication use increases with age, and this, in conjunction with an increasing disease burden, is associated with adverse drug reactions. This review outlines why older people are more likely to develop adverse drug reactions and how common the problem is. The use of different tools to identify and measure the problem is reviewed. Common syndromes seen in older adults (eg, falling, cognitive impairment, sleep disturbance) are considered, and recent evidence in relation to medication use for these conditions is reviewed. Finally, we present a brief summary of significant developments in the recent literature for those caring for older people.

Falls in nonagenarians after 1-year of follow-up: The NonaSantfeliu study

An increase in the rate of falls may be an indicator of frailty. This study included a 12-month follow-up investigation into the rate of falls, in people over 89 years, living in an urban community and analyzed the differences between inhabitants with falls and those without falls. The study was conducted within the framework of the NonaSantfeliu study and 140 nonagenarians participated. Sociodemograhic data, Barthel index (BI), activities of daily living (ADL), Spanish version (MEC) of the mini mental state examination (MMSE), the mini nutritional assessment (MNA) questionnaire, near visual acuity by Snellen test and auditory acuity with the Whisper test were evaluated. The fall rate was 47.1%. The 1-year incidence of falls was 26.4%. The incidence of recurrent falls (two or more falls per year) was 10% (n=14). The prevalence of previous falls within the year preceding the study was 45.7%, 64 of 140 nonagenarians fell and 17 (26.5%) of them fell again during the follow-up. Seventy-six out of 140 (54.3%) nonagenarians had not fallen during the year prior to the study and during the year of follow-up, 20 (26.3%) of them had a new fall. In conclusion, the rate of falls among nonagenarians is high. These results emphasize the need to increase the awareness, to provide recommendations and to incorporate strategies to prevent falls.

[Prescription of benzodiazepines by general practitioners in the private sector of Dakar: survey on knowledge and attitudes]

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to evaluate knowledge and attitudes of general practitioners of the private sector, in Dakar, concerning prescription of benzodiazepines, in order to make, possibly, recommendations for their rational use.

METHOD

A survey was done in 2005 with a representative sample of 55 medical doctors. Medical doctors filled in the questionnaire which focused on the main benzodiazepines' indications, those prescribed and their rules of prescription.

RESULTS

The main indications were anxiety, convulsions, epilepsy and insomnia and the benzodiazepines prescribed in first intention were prazepam against anxiety and insomnia and diazepam against convulsions and epilepsy. Practically 17% of medical doctors ignored the existence of limited period of benzodiazepine use and 70.9% of medical doctors considered their training on benzodiazepines insufficient.

CONCLUSION

These results show the necessity to base continuous training for these general practitioners on the pharmacology of benzodiazepines.

Revue des signaux générés par une méthode automatisée sur 3324 cas de pharmacovigilance

Automated signal generation aims to focus the attention of pharmacovigilance experts on drug-ADR associations which are disproportionally present in a spontaneous reporting system. Since 1986, we could find several signals using classic pharmacovigilance techniques with case reports registered in our pharmacovigilance regional centre. From this dataset 3,324 cases were related to spontaneous reporting. Drug-ADR associations were generated by using a Data Mining Algorithm (DMA) proposed by Evans et al. Potential signals were evaluated by reviewing case reports related to the unlabelled associations. The DMA generated 523 associations of which 107 were not described in the SPC. Most potential signals were false positives. Although the DMA generated little additional knowledge compared to signals already detected using classic techniques, the whole process helped us to focus our case review on a very small subset of the whole dataset (9.6%).

Benzodiazepines and anxiety disorders: a review for the practicing physician

OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE: The objective of this article is to briefly review for practicing clinicians differences among the benzodiazepines (BZDs) that are commonly used to treat anxiety, the efficacy of BZDs in various anxiety disorders, and potential safety issues associated with BZDs, including adverse events, tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal.

METHODOLOGY

Information for this review was obtained using literature searches through PubMed (1966-2004), Google, and the Food and Drug Administration Catalog of Approved Drugs. Data sources were searched for information regarding anxiety disorders and the safety and efficacy of BZDs. Wherever possible and appropriate, information from randomized controlled trials was given priority.

FINDINGS

Benzodiazepines have demonstrated efficacy in treating patients with anxiety disorders, with varying degrees of efficacy. Use of BZDs is advantageous because they have a quick onset of action and are generally well tolerated. Extended-release formulations of BZDs may be particularly advantageous in some patients with anxiety as they allow for maximization of a drug's therapeutic window with consistent serum drug concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS

BZDs remain a mainstay in the treatment of anxiety, as both monotherapy and adjunctive therapy. Factors to consider prior to prescribing a BZD include the patient's diagnosis, as well as drug characteristics, including the potential for interactions with other drugs, the risk of dependence and withdrawal, and the required frequency of dosing.