[Falls in the elderly and drugs].
The risk of falling in older age can be increased by drug use, which has been shown in pharmacoepidemiological studies. There are associations between falls and the use of sedatives, psychotropics, cardiovascular, and other drugs. Multimedication, in particular, has been reported to be frequently related to falls. Mechanisms by which drugs may increase the risk of falling are related to central nervous/neuromuscular and blood pressure lowering effects. Along with increased numbers of diseases and impairments, multiple causes of falls are likely to increase. Thus, it may be difficult to disentangle causal relationships between medication and falls. Disease and impairment related causes of falls always have to be considered. There is still a lack of intervention studies with special regard to medication although drug prescribing is given a high priority in prevention of falls in older age. In medical practice, adaptation of dosing and additive pharmacodynamic effects of multiple drugs should be carefully considered.
von Renteln-Kruse
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Albertinen-Haus, Zentrum für Geriatrie, Hamburg.
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control; D000368:Aged; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D016330:Frail Elderly; D005684:Gait / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000187:drug effects*; D012307:Risk Factors