Psychotropic drugs use and risk of heat-related hospitalisation.
OBJECTIVE
To assess if use of psychotropic drugs is associated with an increased risk of admission for heat-related pathologies during a heat wave period.


METHODS
We conducted a matched case-control study. Cases were defined as subjects admitted to an emergency department for heat-related pathology (hyperthermia or heat stroke) over the August 2003 heat wave. Controls were defined as subjects living in the same area but not hospitalised over the same period and who had at least one prescription form submitted for refunding by the social security insurance in July 2003. Multivariate analyses were used to identify psychotropic drugs independently associated with hospital referral during the heat wave period.


RESULTS
Out of the 1405 patients admitted to the emergency department, 56 (4%) presented with heat-related pathology. The mean age of cases was 83 years. Multivariate analyses showed that cases were more likely than controls to be treated with anticholinergic drugs (OR 6.0, 95% CI 1.8-19.6), antipsychotics (OR 4.6, 95% CI 1.9-11.2) or anxiolytics (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.3-4.4).


CONCLUSIONS
In special risk situations such as heat waves, the risk/benefit ratio of psychotropic drugs which could interfere with body temperature regulation has to be carefully assessed, particularly in the elderly.
Martin-Latry
Karin
K
Université Victor Segalen Bordeaux 2, France. karin.latry@pharmaco.u-bordeaux2.fr
Goumy
Marie-Pierre
MP
Latry
Philippe
P
Gabinski
Claude
C
Bégaud
Bernard
B
Faure
Isabelle
I
Verdoux
Hélène
H
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D018882:Heat Stress Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D012737:Sex Factors; D013546:Sweating / Q000187:drug effects; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs