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An investigation of the association of benzodiazepines and other hypnotics with the incidence of falls in the elderly
Author(s) -
Trewin V. F.,
Lawrence C. J.,
Veitch G. B. A.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.622
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1365-2710
pISSN - 0269-4727
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2710.1992.tb01281.x
Subject(s) - incidence (geometry) , medicine , lorazepam , confusion , nitrazepam , emergency medicine , parkinsonism , pediatrics , anesthesia , diazepam , psychology , physics , disease , psychoanalysis , optics
SUMMARY Clinical and medication data from 2,878 admissions to a Department for Care of the Elderly were examined retrospectively to determine the association between the administration of hypnotics/benzodiazepines and the incidence of falls. Only lorazepam prescribed to females and nitrazepam prescribed to males were associated with a significantly increased incidence of falls. Women fell significantly more frequently than men, and 7.5% of falls resulted in fractures. Stroke was the most common major diagnosis in fall‐cases, followed by infection, Parkinsonism and confusion.