[The role of drugs in falls in the elderly. Epidemiologic aspects].
FALLS AND POST-FALL SYNDROME: Falls are a major health problem among the elderly because of the resulting psychological sequelae (sometimes termed "post-fall syndrome") and in a few cases serious injury, particularly hip fractures.
The scientific literature on the link between medications and falls and fractures suggests that psychotropic drugs used in about 50% of residents of nursing homes and in 20% in the community cause around 30% of falls in nursing homes and 20% of falls in the community. PSYCHOTROPS: The relative effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressors and the relative effect of short/long acting or sedative/hypnotic benzodiazepines are not well established.
Appropriate use of cardiovascular medications and analgesics does not increase the risk of falls.


CONCLUSIONS
These data reinforce the concept that reducing the use of psychotrops, especially benzodiazepines, is probably one of the most effective means of reducing serious falls in older people.
Blain
H
H
Unité de Médecine interne et de Soins aigus gériatriques, Centre de Prévention et de Traitement des Maladies du Vieillissement, CHU de Montpellier.
Blain
A
A
Tréchot
P
P
Jeandel
C
C
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D015984:Causality; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012306:Risk
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs