Opioids, antiepileptic and anticholinergic drugs and the risk of fractures in patients 65 years of age and older: a prospective population-based study

Predictors of persistent opioid use in non-cancer older adults: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Long-term opioid use and associated adverse outcomes have increased dramatically in recent years. Limited research is available on long-term opioid use in older adults.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to determine the incidence and predictors of long-term or persistent opioid use (POU) amongst opioid-naïve older adults without a cancer diagnosis.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study using five national administrative healthcare databases in New Zealand. We included all opioid-naïve older adults (≥65 years) who were initiated on opioid therapy between January 2013 and June 2018. The outcome of interest was POU, defined as having continuously filled ≥1 opioid prescription within 91-180 days after the index opioid prescription. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the predictors of POU.

RESULTS

The final sample included 268,857 opioid-naïve older adults; of these, 5,849(2.2%) developed POU. Several predictors of POU were identified. The use of fentanyl (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 3.61; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.63-4.95), slow-release opioids (AOR = 3.02; 95%CI 2.78-3.29), strong opioids (AOR = 2.03; 95%CI 1.55-2.65), Charlson Comorbidity Score ≥ 3 (AOR = 2.09; 95% CI 1.78-2.46), history of substance abuse (AOR = 1.52; 95%CI 1.35-1.72), living in most socioeconomically deprived areas (AOR = 1.40; 95%CI 1.27-1.54), and anti-epileptics (AOR = 2.07; 95%CI 1.89-2.26), non-opioid analgesics (AOR = 2.05; 95%CI 1.89-2.21), antipsychotics (AOR = 1.96; 95%CI 1.78-2.17) or antidepressants (AOR = 1.50; 95%CI 1.41-1.59) medication use were the strongest predictors of POU.

CONCLUSION

A significant proportion of patients developed POU, and several factors were associated with POU. The findings will enable healthcare providers and policymakers to target early interventions to prevent POU and related adverse events.

Risk Prescriptions of Strong Opioids in the Treatment of Chronic Non-Cancer Pain by Primary Care Physicians in Catalonia: Opicat Padris Project

The prescription of strong opioids (SO) for chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) is steadily increasing. This entails a high risk of adverse effects, a risk that increases with the concomitant prescription of SO with central nervous system depressant drugs and with the use of SO for non-recommended indications. In order to examine this concomitant risk prescription, we designed a descriptive, longitudinal, retrospective population-based study. Patients aged ≥15 years with a continued SO prescription for ≥3 months during 2013–2017 for CNCP were included. Of these, patients who had received concomitant prescriptions of SO and risk drugs (gabapentinoids, benzodiazepines and antidepressants) and those who had received immediate-release fentanyl (IRF) were selected. The study included 22,691 patients; 20,354 (89.7%) patients received concomitant risk prescriptions. Men and subjects with a higher socioeconomic status received fewer concomitant risk prescriptions. Benzodiazepines or Z-drugs were prescribed concomitantly with SO in 15,883 (70%) patients, antidepressants in 14,932 (65%) and gabapentinoids in 11,267 (49%), while 483 (21.32%) patients received IRF (2266 prescriptions in total) without a baseline SO. In conclusion, our study shows that a high percentage of patients prescribed SO for CNCP received concomitant prescriptions with known risks, as well as IRF for unauthorized indications.

Association of co-prescribing of opioid and benzodiazepine substitutes with incident falls and fractures among older adults: a cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Examine the association between the co-prescribing of opioids, benzodiazepines, gabapentinoids (pregabalin and gabapentin) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors/serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSRI/SNRIs) in different combinations and the risk of falls and fractures.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study from 2015 to 2018.

SETTING

Medicare enrolment and claims data.

PARTICIPANTS

Medicare beneficiaries with both chronic pain and anxiety disorders in 2016 with continuous enrolments in Parts A and B from 2015 to 2016 who were prescribed any combination of opioid, benzodiazepine, gabapentinoid and SSRI/SNRI in 2017 for ≥7 days, as documented in their Medicare Part D coverage.

INTERVENTIONS

Any combination of use of seven drug regimens (benzodiazepine +opioid; benzodiazepine +gabapentinoid; benzodiazepine +SSRI/SNRI; opioid +gabapentinoid; opioid +SSRI/SNRI; gabapentinoid +SSRI/SNRI; ≥3 drug classes).

MAIN OUTCOMES

First event of fall and the first event of fracture after the index date, which was the first day of combination drug use that lasted ≥7 days in 2017.

RESULTS

A total of 47 964 patients (mean [SD] age, 75.9 [7.1]; 78.0% woman) with diagnoses of both chronic pain and anxiety were studied. The median (Q1-Q3) duration of drug combination use was 26 (14-30) days. After adjusting for demographic characteristics, chronic conditions and history of hospitalisation and fall or fracture, the co-prescribing of ≥3 drugs (adjusted HR [aHR], 1.38; 95% CI 1.14 to 1.67) and opioid plus gabapentinoid (aHR, 1.18; 95% CI 1.02 to 1.37) were associated with a high fall risk, compared with benzodiazepineplus opioid co-prescribing, findings consistent with the secondary analysis using inverse probability of treatment weighting with propensity scores. The co-prescribing of benzodiazepine plus gabapentinoid (aHR, 0.76; 95% CI 0.59 to 0.98) was associated with lower fracture risk compared with the co-prescribing of benzodiazepine plus opioid, though this finding was not robust.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings add to comparative toxicity research on different combinations of gabapentinoids and serotonergic agents commonly prescribed with or as substitutes for opioids and benzodiazepines in patients with co-occurring chronic pain and anxiety.

The effect of opioids on the cognitive function of older adults: results from the Personality and Total Health through life study

BACKGROUND

chronic pain, a common complaint among older adults, affects physical and mental well-being. While opioid use for pain management has increased over the years, pain management in older adults remains challenging, due to potential severe adverse effects of opioids in this population.

OBJECTIVE

we examined the association between opioid use, and changes in cognitive function of older adults.

DESIGN

prospective study.

SETTING

community dwelling older adults.

SUBJECTS

study population consisted of 2,222 individuals aged 65-69 years at baseline from the Personality and Total Health Through Life Study in Australia.

METHODS

medication data were obtained from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Cognitive measures were obtained from neuropsychological battery assessment. Opioid exposure was quantified as Total Morphine Equivalent Dose (MED). The association between change in cognitive function between Wave 2 and Wave 3, and cumulative opioid use was assessed through generalized linear models.

RESULTS

cumulative opioid exposure exceeding total MED of 2,940 was significantly associated with poorer performance in the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Compared with those not on opioids, individuals exposed to opioids resulting in cumulative total MED of greater than 2,940 had significantly lower scores in the MMSE (Model 1: β = -0.34, Model 2: β = -0.35 and Model 3: β = -0.39, P < 0.01). Performance in other cognitive assessments was not associated with opioid use.

CONCLUSION

prolonged opioid use in older adults can affect cognitive function, further encouraging the need for alternative pain management strategies in this population. Pain management options should not adversely affect healthy ageing trajectories and cognitive health.

A meta-analysis of observational studies on anticholinergic burden and fracture risk: evaluation of conventional burden scales

Background

Anticholinergic burden potentially increases the risk of fracture. Although there are various anticholinergic burden scales, little is known about the inter-scale compatibility regarding the relationship of anticholinergic burden with fracture risk. We performed meta-analysis to examine the association of fracture risk with anticholinergic burden measured using various scales.

Methods

Primary literature was retrieved from PubMed (1966 to March, 2021), the Cochrane Library (1974 to March, 2021), Scopus (1970 to March, 2021), and Ichushi-web (1983 to March, 2021). Cohort and case-control studies that evaluated the association between any fracture and anticholinergic drugs were included. Additionally, we included studies in which patients were administered anticholinergic drugs included on the anticholinergic risk scale (ARS), anticholinergic cognitive burden (ACB), anticholinergic drug scale, or drug burden index-anticholinergic component. Random effects models were used to calculate pooled relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) due to heterogeneity among the studies. Publication bias was examined by funnel plots and the Begg’s test.

Results

A total of 49 datasets from 10 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Six of the 10 studies included only patients aged over 65 years, who accounted for 93% of the total study population (453,186/487,247). Meta-analysis indicated a positive relationship between use of anticholinergic drugs and fracture risk, regardless of the anticholinergic burden scale used. However, the relationship between anticholinergic burden and fracture risk varied depending on the scale used. Fracture risk increased linearly with increasing anticholinergic burden measured using ARS. ARS 1 point was associated with 28% increase in fracture risk, ARS 1–2 point(s) with 39%, ARS 2 points with 54%, ARS 3 points with 66%, and ARS ≥ 4 points with 77%. On the other hand, ACB 1 point and ACB 2 points were associated with similar fracture risk (pooled RR [95% CI]: overall; 1.28 [1.18–1.39], 1 point; 1.12 [1.06–1.18], 2 points; 1.15 [1.08–1.23]).

Conclusions

This result suggests that the relationship between anticholinergic drug burden and fracture risk may differ depending on the anticholinergic burden scale used.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s40780-021-00213-y.

Opioid Use and the Risk of Falls, Fall Injuries and Fractures among Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

There is increasing concern about opioid use as a pain treatment option among older adults. Existing literature implies an association between opioid use and fracture, increasing the risk of death and disabilities; yet, this relationship with other fall-related outcomes has not been fully explored. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the associations between opioid use and adverse health outcomes of falls, fall injuries, and fractures among older adults.

METHODS

A systematic literature search was conducted using nine databases: Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycInfo, Global Health, Northern Light Sciences Conference Abstracts, Cochrane CENTRAL, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and ClinicalTrials.gov. We log-transformed effect sizes (relative risk [RR], odds ratio [OR], and hazard ratio [HR]) to compute pooled risk estimates comparable across the studies. The random-effects model was applied to calculate the pooled risk estimates due to heterogeneity. Meta-regressions explored differences in risk estimates by analysis method, study design, setting, and study quality.

RESULTS

Thirty studies, providing 34 relevant effect sizes, met the inclusion criteria for this meta-analysis. Overall, opioid use was significantly associated with falls, fall injuries, and fractures, with effect sizes ranging from 0.15 to 0.71. In meta-regressions, no selected factors explained heterogeneity.

CONCLUSION

While heterogeneity is present, results suggest an increased risk of falls, fall injuries, and fractures among older adults who used opioids. Findings highlight the need for opioid education and nonopioid-related pain management interventions among older adults to decrease fall-related risk.

A systematic review of the evidence for the efficacy of opioids for chronic non-cancer pain in community-dwelling older adults

INTRODUCTION

the ageing global population and concomitant increase in the use of opioid analgesia have highlighted the need to evaluate the effectiveness of opioids for chronic pain in older people.

METHODS

a systematic review of the evidence for the efficacy of opioids for chronic non-cancer pain in community-dwelling people aged 65 years or more was conducted using PRISMA guidelines. The databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, Pubmed and PsychINFO were searched. The quality of studies was assessed. Secondary aims were to assess correlates of opioid use and the decision-making processes of prescribers.

RESULTS

seven studies were identified of low to high quality. The majority of older people experienced ongoing pain despite continuing opioid therapy. There were mixed results regarding benefits of opioids in terms of activities of daily living and social engagement. In nursing home residents, opioid use at baseline was associated with severe pain, severe impairment in activities of daily living and a diagnosis of depression. Fear of causing harm to older people was common amongst opioid prescribers, limiting prescription. Facilitators of opioid prescription included educational interventions and access to an evidence base for opioid use.

CONCLUSION

there is limited evidence supporting the use of long-term opioid use in older people for chronic non-cancer pain and a lack of trials in this age group. Age-specific guidelines are required addressing initial assessment, indications, monitoring and de-prescribing.

Post-acute Use of Opioids and Psychotropics in Patients after Hip Fracture: Unintended Consequences of Implementing Diagnosis-Related Grouping Payment

OBJECTIVE

How implementing diagnostic-related grouping (DRG) payment affected the use of opioids and psychotropics by hip fracture patients following hospitalization remained unknown.

DESIGN

A retrospective, pre-post design, cohort study of data excerpted from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research database (NHIRD).

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Adults aged ≥ 65 years first admitted for hip fracture surgery from 2007 to 2012 were identified and divided into two 1:1 propensity-score matched groups: pre-DRG (2007-2009); DRG (2010-2012).

MEASUREMENTS

The outcome measures were use of opioid and/or psychotropic drugs within 30 days, 90 days, 180 days, and 365 days after discharge.

RESULTS

Data of 16,522 subjects were excerpted, and 8,261 propensity-score matched subjects each classified into the pre-DRG and DRG groups. After adjustment, the DRG group was significantly more likely than the pre-DRG group to have used antipsychotics after discharge from hip fracture surgery (≤30 days, ≤90 days, ≤180 days and ≤365 days). The DRG group also had significantly higher prescription rates of benzodiazepines and antipsychotics during the observation period. Moreover, the DRG group was less likely to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (≤30 days, ≤90 days, ≤180 days and ≤365 days) and more likely to use acetaminophen (≤30 days, ≤180 days, and ≤365 days).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, DRG implementation in Taiwan substantially increased post-acute prescription of antipsychotic and psychotropic agents for hip fracture patients, and changed use of analgesics, which may result in suboptimal quality and safety for these patients. Further research is needed to evaluate the long-term outcomes of DRG implementation, and the potential benefits of appropriate post-acute care bundled with DRG payment.

Recent opioid use and fall-related injury among older patients with trauma

BACKGROUND

Evidence for an association between opioid use and risk of falls or fractures in older adults is inconsistent. We examine the association between recent opioid use and the risk, as well as the clinical outcomes, of fall-related injuries in a large trauma population of older adults.

METHODS

In a retrospective, observational, multicentre cohort study conducted on registry data, we included all patients aged 65 years and older who were admitted (hospital stay > 2 d) for injury in 57 trauma centres in the province of Quebec, Canada, between 2004 and 2014. We looked at opioid prescriptions filled in the 2 weeks preceding the trauma in patients who sustained a fall, compared with those who sustained an injury through another mechanism.

RESULTS

A total of 67 929 patients were retained for analysis. Mean age was 80.9 (± 8.0) years and 69% were women. The percentage of patients who had filled an opioid prescription in the 2 weeks preceding an injury was 4.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.7%-5.1%) for patients who had had a fall, compared with 1.5% (95% CI 1.2%-1.8%) for those who had had an injury through another mechanism. After we controlled for confounding variables, patients who had filled an opioid prescription within 2 weeks before injury were 2.4 times more likely to have a fall rather than any other type of injury. For patients who had a fall-related injury, those who used opioids were at increased risk of in-hospital death (odds ratio 1.58; 95% CI 1.34-1.86).

INTERPRETATION

Recent opioid use is associated with an increased risk of fall and an increased likelihood of death in older adults.

Opioid intake prior to admission is not increased in elderly patients with low-energy fractures: A case-control study in a German hospital population

BACKGROUND

Recent studies revealed an increased prescription rate of opioids for elderly patients suffering bone fractures. To gain further insight, we conducted face-to-face interviews in the present study to compare the opioid intake between patients with low-energy fractures and patients suffering from internal diseases.

METHODS

In this case-control study, 992 patients, aged 60 years and older, were enrolled between March 2014 and February 2015. The interview comprised a fall and medication history, comorbidities, mobility and other risk factors for fractures. Odds ratios (OR) and a multiple logistic regression model were calculated.

RESULTS

The number of patients with pre-admission opioid intake in the last 12 months was comparable in the fracture (n = 399, 13.3%) and the control group (n = 593, 14.7% OR: 0.89, CI: 0.62-1.29). The number of patients with current opioid intake of short duration (<3 months) was similar in both groups (14% vs. 20%; OR: 0.66, CI: 0.23-1.93). Patients with opioid intake in the fracture group reported more frequently fatigue as an adverse event of opioid medication (58% vs. 30%; OR: 3.32, CI: 1.48-7.45). Patients with opioid intake showed more severe comorbidities and significantly decreased mobility compared to those without opioids.

CONCLUSION

Elderly patients internalized due to low-energy fractures did not take opioids more frequently than patients with internal admission, for both short (<3 months) and longer duration intake. Patients with opioid intake were generally in poorer physical condition. The risk of fracture might increase in patients suffering from fatigue as a side effect of opioid medication.

SIGNIFICANCE

This study is based on face-to-face interviews with patients, including details about side effects and fracture history, providing a more pronounced picture of the relation of opioid intake and risk of fracture.

Initiation of antihypertensive monotherapy and incident fractures among Medicare beneficiaries

BACKGROUND

Research suggests antihypertensive medications are associated with fractures in older adults, however results are inconsistent and few have examined how the association varies over time. We sought to examine the association between antihypertensive class and incident non-vertebral fractures among older adults initiating monotherapy according to time since initiation.

METHODS

We used a new-user cohort design to identify Medicare beneficiaries (≥ 65 years of age) initiating antihypertensive monotherapy during 2008-2011 using a 20% random sample of Fee-For-Service Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in parts A (inpatient services), B (outpatient services), and D (prescription medication) coverage. Starting the day after the initial antihypertensive prescription, we followed beneficiaries for incident non-vertebral fractures. We used multinomial logistic regression models to estimate propensity scores for initiating each antihypertensive drug class. Using these propensity scores, we weighted beneficiaries to achieve the same baseline covariate distribution as beneficiaries initiating with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Lastly, we used weighted Cox proportional hazard models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) of having an incident fractures according to antihypertensive class and time since initiation.

RESULTS

During 2008-2011, 122,629 Medicare beneficiaries initiated antihypertensive monotherapy (mean age 75, 61% women, 86% White). Fracture rates varied according to days since initiation and antihypertensive class. Beneficiaries initiating with thiazides had the highest fracture rate in the first 14 days following initiation (438 per 10,000 person-years, 95% confidence interval (CI): 294-628; HR: 1.40, 0.78-2.52). However, beneficiaries initiating with calcium channel blockers had the highest fracture rate during the 15-365 days after initiation (435 per 10,000 person-years, 95% CI: 404-468; HR: 1.11, 1.00-1.24). Beneficiaries initiating with angiotensin-receptor blockers had the lowest fracture rates during the initial 14 days (333 per 10,000 person-years, 190-546, HR: 0.92, 0.49-1.75) and during 15-365 days after initiation (321 per 10,000 person-years, 287-358, HR: 0.96, 0.84-1.09).

CONCLUSION

The association between antihypertensives and fractures varied according to class and time since initiation. Results suggest that when deciding upon antihypertensive therapy, clinicians may want to consider possible fracture risks when choosing between antihypertensive drug classes.

Predicting Falls in People Aged 65 Years and Older from Insurance Claims

BACKGROUND

Accidental falls among people aged 65 years and older caused approximately 2,700,000 injuries, 27,000 deaths, and cost more than 34 billion dollars in the US annually in recent years. Here, we derive and validate a predictive model for falls based on a retrospective cohort of those 65 years and older.

METHODS

Insurance claims from a 1-year observational period were used to predict a fall-related claim in the following 2 years. The predictive model takes into account a person's age, sex, prescriptions, and diagnoses. Through random assignment, half of the people had their claims used to derive the model, while the remaining people had their claims used to validate the model.

RESULTS

Of 120,881 individuals with Aetna health insurance coverage, 12,431 (10.3%) members fell. During validation, people were risk stratified across 20 levels, where those in the highest risk stratum had 10.5 times the risk as those in the lowest stratum (33.1% vs 3.1%).

CONCLUSIONS

Using only insurance claims, individuals in this large cohort at high risk of falls could be readily identified up to 2 years in advance. Although external validation is needed, the findings support the use of the model to better target interventions.

Prescription Opioid Use Among Seriously Mentally Ill Veterans Nationally in the Veterans Health Administration

Frequent prescription opioid use has been recognized as a growing problem but there have been no studies specifically among veterans with serious mental illness (SMI). National data from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) during Fiscal Year 2012 show that VHA patients with SMI receive more opioid prescriptions than other veterans. Additionally, high numbers of opioid prescriptions is associated with greater use of anxiolytics/sedative-hypnotics, drug dependence and COPD-all of which pose an increased risk of respiratory depression and falls and warrant substantial caution and improved coordination between mental health and non-mental health prescribers to evaluate risk-benefit tradeoffs.

Prevalence and correlates of co-prescribing psychotropic medications with long-term opioid use nationally in the Veterans Health Administration

We used national data for fiscal year 2012 to examine demographic, psychiatric and medical diagnoses, indications for psychotropics, and service use correlates of psychotropic medication fills in Veterans with at least 10 opioid prescriptions during the year (the highest 29% of opioid users); and whether the Veteran was treated in a specialty mental health clinic. Of the 328,398 Veterans who filled at least 10 opioid prescriptions, 77% also received psychotropics, of whom: 74% received antidepressants, 55% anxiolytics/sedatives/hypnotics, and 26% three or more classes of psychotropic medications. Altogether, 87% had a psychiatric or medical indication; and 54% received mental health treatment. Veterans treated in a mental health clinic were prescribed more psychotropics and were more likely to have a documented psychiatric or medical indication than those treated solely in other settings. Indicated psychiatric diagnoses were the strongest predictors of specific class of psychotropics prescribed; anxiety disorder and insomnia were most strongly associated with anxioloytics/sedatives/hypnotics receipt. Since psychotropics and opioids can produce harmful side effects, especially when combined, and since they are likely prescribed by separate providers in different settings, coordinated consideration of the risks and benefits of co-prescribing these medications may be needed, along with further study of related adverse events.

Effects of antipsychotics, antidepressants and mood stabilizers on risk for physical diseases in people with schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder

People with severe mental illness have a considerably shorter lifespan than the general population. This excess mortality is mainly due to physical illness. Next to mental illness-related factors, unhealthy lifestyle, and disparities in health care access and utilization, psychotropic medications can contribute to the risk of physical morbidity and mortality. We systematically reviewed the effects of antipsychotics, antidepressants and mood stabilizers on physical health outcomes in people with schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. Updating and expanding our prior systematic review published in this journal, we searched MEDLINE (November 2009 - November 2014), combining the MeSH terms of major physical disease categories (and/or relevant diseases within these categories) with schizophrenia, major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder, and the three major psychotropic classes which received regulatory approval for these disorders, i.e., antipsychotics, antidepressants and mood stabilizers. We gave precedence to results from (systematic) reviews and meta-analyses wherever possible. Antipsychotics, and to a more restricted degree antidepressants and mood stabilizers, are associated with an increased risk for several physical diseases, including obesity, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, hyponatremia; cardiovascular, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal, haematological, musculoskeletal and renal diseases, as well as movement and seizure disorders. Higher dosages, polypharmacy, and treatment of vulnerable (e.g., old or young) individuals are associated with greater absolute (elderly) and relative (youth) risk for most of these physical diseases. To what degree medication-specific and patient-specific risk factors interact, and how adverse outcomes can be minimized, allowing patients to derive maximum benefits from these medications, requires adequate clinical attention and further research.

Sleep Disturbances and Osteoarthritis

Sleep disturbances are particularly troublesome in patients with painful rheumatic disease. This article reviews the literature specifically published on sleep disturbances in osteoarthritis, a prevalent pathology and leading cause of disability. Several aspects of the relationship between sleep and osteoarthritis are discussed, including epidemiology, pathophysiological hypotheses, and treatment outcomes. Sleep is of central importance in the well-being of patients and should systematically be assessed in patients with osteoarthritis. When needed, a specific treatment of sleep disorders should be associated with an optimal management of pain to achieve synergistic improvements in quality of life. More large-scale studies are needed to identify predictive factors of sleep impairment in osteoarthritis.

Eight principles for safer opioid prescribing and cautions with benzodiazepines

The provision of long-term opioid analgesic therapy for chronic pain requires a careful risk/benefit analysis followed by clinical safety measures to identify and reduce misuse, abuse, and addiction and their associated morbidity and mortality. Multiple data sources show that benzodiazepines, prescribed for comorbid insomnia, anxiety, and mood disorders, heighten the risk of respiratory depression and other adverse outcomes when combined with opioid therapy. Evidence is presented for hazards associated with coadministration of opioids and benzodiazepines and the need for caution when initiating opioid therapy for chronic pain. Clinical recommendations follow, as drawn from 2 previously published literature reviews, one of which proffers 8 principles for safer opioid prescribing; the other review presents risks associated with benzodiazepines, suggests alternatives for co-prescribing benzodiazepines and opioids, and outlines recommendations regarding co-prescribing if alternative therapies are ineffective.

Effect of Anticholinergic Medications on Falls, Fracture Risk, and Bone Mineral Density Over a 10-Year Period

BACKGROUND

Many medications used in older adults have strong anticholinergic (ACH) properties, which may increase the risk of falls and fractures. Use of these medications was identified in a population-based Canadian cohort.

OBJECTIVE

To identify the fall and fracture risk associated with ACH medication use.

METHODS

Data collection and analysis were conducted at baseline, year 5, and year 10. Cross-sectional analyses were performed to examine associations between ACH medication use and falls. Time-dependent Cox regression was used to examine time to first nontraumatic fracture. Finally, change in bone mineral density (BMD) over 10 years was compared in ACH medication users versus nonusers.

RESULTS

Strongly ACH medications were used by 618 of 7753 participants (8.0%) at study baseline, 592 (9.5%) at year 5, and 334 (7.7%) at year 10. Unadjusted ACH medication use was associated with falls at baseline (odds ratio = 1.50; 95% CI = 1.14-1.98; P = 0.004), but the association was no longer significant after covariate adjustment. Similar results occurred at years 5 and 10. ACH medication use was associated with increased incident fracture risk before (hazard ratio = 1.22; CI = 1.13-1.32; P < 0.001) but not after covariate adjustment. Mean (SD) change in femoral neck BMD T-score over 10 years, in those using ACH medications at both years 0 and 5, was -0.60 (0.63) in ACH users versus -0.49 (0.45) in nonusers (P = 0.041), but this was not significant after covariate adjustment.

CONCLUSIONS

ACH medications were not found to be independently associated with an increased risk of falling, fractures, or BMD loss. Rather, factors associated with ACH medication use explained the apparent associations.

Association between use of benzodiazepines and risk of fractures: a meta-analysis

Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are some of the most commonly prescribed drugs in the world. It has been shown that BZD use could be associated with increased fracture risk. However, studies on the use of BZDs and fracture risk have yielded inconsistent results. Results from the present meta-analysis show that BZD use is associated with a moderate and clinically significant increase in the risk of fractures.

INTRODUCTION

The relationship between the use of BZDs and fracture risk has been neither well identified nor summarized. This meta-analysis reports on the use of BZDs, especially short-acting BZDs, and their correlation with a moderate and clinically significant increase in fracture risk. This analysis will provide evidence for clinicians to consider fracture risk when prescribing BZDs among the elderly population. This study was conducted to determine whether people who take BZDs are at an increased fracture risk.

METHODS

A systematic search of studies published through January 2013 was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, OVID, and ScienceDirect. Case-control and cohort studies that assessed the relationship between BZD use and the risk of fractures were identified. Literature searches, study selections, methodological assessments, and data mining were independently conducted by two reviewers. Disagreements were resolved by consensus. STATA 12.0 software was used for the meta-analysis. Random effects models were used for pooled analysis due to heterogeneity among the studies.

RESULTS

There were 25 studies, including 19 case-control studies and 6 cohort studies, that met the inclusion criteria. Overall, the results of the meta-analysis indicated that BZD use was associated with a significantly increased fracture risk (relative risk (RR) = 1.25; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 1.17-1.34; p < 0.001). Increased fracture risk associated with BZD use was observed in participants aged ≥65 years old (RR = 1.26; 95% CI, 1.15-1.38; p < 0.001). When only hip fractures were included as the outcome measure, the RR increased to 1.35. However, subgroup meta-analyses showed that there was no significant association between BZD use and fracture risk in Eastern countries (RR = 1.27; 95% CI, 0.76-2.14; p = 0.362) as well as between long-acting BZD use and risk of fractures (RR = 1.21; 95% CI, 0.95-1.54; p = 0.12). After accounting for publication bias, we observed that the overall association between BZD use and fracture risk to be slightly weaker (RR = 1.21; 95% CI, 1.13-1.30) but still significant.

CONCLUSION

The results of this meta-analysis demonstrate that the use of BZD, especially short-acting BZD, is associated with a moderate and clinically significant increase in fracture risk. However, large prospective studies that minimize selection bias are necessary to determine a more accurate fracture risk associated with BZD use.