Relating Specific Medications to Record of Falls in a Large Cohort of Older Swedish Adults
2024

Medication and Falls in Older Adults

Sample size: 441 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Daniel Peterson, Linda Johansson, Bjorn Westerlind, Thais Lopes De Oliveira, Deborah Finkel

Primary Institution: Arizona State University

Hypothesis

How do specific medications relate to the occurrence of falls in older Swedish adults?

Conclusion

Certain classes of medications, including antithrombotics, folic acid, and gastrointestinal medications, are related to falls in older adults.

Supporting Evidence

  • The study tracked participants for approximately 2.5 years.
  • A total of 286 unique medications were initially considered.
  • Only 86 medications were included in the final analysis after filtering.

Takeaway

This study looked at how different medications might cause older people to fall down. They found that some medicines can make falls more likely.

Methodology

The study used Logistic Generalized Estimating Equation models to analyze medication prescriptions and falls over a 2.5-year period.

Limitations

Only medications prescribed 100 or more times were included, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.

Participant Demographics

Older Swedish adults.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.4065

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication