Sedative-hypnotic use of diphenhydramine in a rural, older adult, community-based cohort: effects on cognition.
OBJECTIVE
The authors sought to identify patterns and associations of prescription and over-the-counter sedative-hypnotic use in an older, rural, blue-collar, community-based cohort in southwestern Pennsylvania over 10 years.


METHODS
A group of 1,627 individuals age 65 and over were recruited and assessed during 1987-1989 and re-assessed during approximately biennial waves. Data included sleep medications, demographics, depressive symptoms, sleep complaints, and cognitive functioning (Mini-Mental State Exam [MMSE]).


RESULTS
At Waves 1 through 5, the mean age of the cohort increased from 73.4 to 80.5 years. Use of prescription sedative-hypnotics (primarily benzodiazepines) increased from 1.8% to 3.1%, and over-the-counter sedative-hypnotic use (primarily diphenhydramine) increased from 0.4% to 7.6%. At Wave 5 (1996-1998), 8.17% of the sample reported using diphenhydramine as a sleep aid. After adjusting for age and sex, diphenhydramine use was associated with higher education and more depressive symptoms, the latter becoming nonsignificant after controlling for initial insomnia. MMSE became significantly associated with diphenhydramine use when 143 subjects with dementia were excluded from the analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
As the cohort aged, prescription sedative-hypnotic use remained relatively stable, whereas over-the-counter sedative use, principally diphenhydramine, increased substantially. The association of this drug with cognitive impairment in persons without dementia highlights its potential for causing adverse reactions in older adults.
Basu
Ranita
R
Division of Geriatrics and Neuropsychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Dodge
Hiroko
H
Stoehr
Gary P
GP
Ganguli
Mary
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D004155:Diphenhydramine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010414:Pennsylvania / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012042:Registries; D019035:Rural Health Services; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D004155:Diphenhydramine