342 The Association Between Benzodiazepine Use and Falls, and the Impact of Sleep Quality on this Association: Data from TILDA

Background Benzodiazepines (BZD) are associated with adverse effects, particularly in older adults. Previous research has shown an association between BZDs and falls and BZDs have been shown to impact sleep quality. The aim of this study is to assess the association between BZD use and falls, and the impact of sleep quality on this association, in community dwelling adults aged over 50. Methods Data from the first wave of The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing were used. Participants were classed as BZD users or non-users and asked if they had fallen in the last year, and whether any of these falls were unexplained. Sleep quality was assessed via self-reported trouble falling asleep, daytime somnolence, and early-rising. Logistic regression assessed for an association between BZD use and falls, and the impact of sleep quality on this association was assessed by categorising based on BZD use and each sleep quality variable. Results Of 8,175 individuals, 302 (3.69%) reported taking BZDs. BZD use was associated with falls, controlling for con-founders (OR 1.40; 1.08, 1.82; p-value 0.012). There was no significant association between BZDs and unexplained falls, controlling for con-founders (OR 1.41; 95% CI 0.95, 2.10; p-value 0.09), however a similar effect size to all falls was evident. Participants who take BZDs and report daytime somnolence (OR 1.93; 95% CI 1.12, 3.31; p-value 0.017), early-rising (OR 1.93; 95% CI 1.20, 3.11; p-value 0.007) or trouble falling asleep (OR 1.83; 95% CI 1.12, 2.97; p-value 0.015), have an increased odds of unexplained falls. Conclusion BZD use is associated with falls, with larger effect size in BZD users reporting poor sleep quality in community dwelling older adults. Appropriate prescription of and regular review of medications such as BZDs is an important public health issue.