Insomnia and hypnotic use, recorded in the minimum data set, as predictors of falls and hip fractures in Michigan nursing homes.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between insomnia, hypnotic use, falls, and hip fractures in older people.


METHODS
Secondary analysis of a large, longitudinal, assessment database.


METHODS
Four hundred thirty-seven nursing homes in Michigan.


METHODS
Residents aged 65 and older in 2001 with a baseline Minimum Data Set assessment and a follow-up 150 to 210 days later.


METHODS
Logistic regression modeled any follow-up report of fall or hip fracture. Predictors were baseline reports of insomnia (previous month) and use of hypnotics (previous week). Potential confounds taken into account included standard measures of functional status, cognitive status, intensity of resource utilization, proximity to death, illness burden, number of medications, emergency room visits, nursing home new admission, age, and sex.


RESULTS
In 34,163 nursing home residents (76% women, mean age+/-standard deviation 84+/-8), hypnotic use did not predict falls (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.98, 1.30). In contrast, insomnia did predict future falls (AOR=1.52, 95% CI=1.38, 1.66). Untreated insomnia (AOR=1.55, 95% CI=1.41, 1.71) and hypnotic-treated (unresponsive) insomnia (AOR=1.32, 95% CI=1.02, 1.70) predicted more falls than did the absence of insomnia. After adjustment for confounding variables, insomnia and hypnotic use were not associated with subsequent hip fracture.


CONCLUSIONS
In elderly nursing home residents, insomnia, but not hypnotic use, is associated with a greater risk of subsequent falls. Future studies will need to confirm these findings and determine whether appropriate hypnotic use can protect against future falls.
Avidan
Alon Y
AY
Sleep Disorders Center, Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. avidana@umich.edu
Fries
Brant E
BE
James
Mary L
ML
Szafara
Kristina L
KL
Wright
Glenn T
GT
Chervin
Ronald D
RD
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015984:Causality; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008824:Michigan / Q000453:epidemiology; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives