Use of psychoactive drugs and related falls among older people living in a community in Brazil

Revista de Saúde Pública

Flávio Chaimowicz¹  Teresinha De Jesus Xavier Martins Ferreira²  Denise Freire Assumpção Miguel² 

[1] ,Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Faculdade de Medicina Departamento de Clínica MédicaBelo Horizonte MG ,Brasil

关键词: Aged;    Accidental falls;    Psychotropic drugs;    Aging health;    Mental health;    Psychotropic drugs;    Idoso;    Acidentes por quedas;    Psicotrópicos;    Saúde do idoso;    Saúde mental;    Psicotrópicos;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0034-89102000000600011

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

INTRODUCTION: Population aging in Brazil has increased the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease) and affective disorders (anxiety, depression), all common in old age. A retrospective study was carried out with the purpose of ascertaining if there is an association between falls and psychoactive medication use among older residents of a community in Brazil. METHODS: All residents aged 65+ (n=161) of one neighborhood of Campo Belo, Brazil (population of 48,000) were evaluated regarding the use of psychoactive drugs and the occurrence of falls in the 12 months preceding the study. Vision and hearing screenings were also performed. RESULTS: From the study population, 9.3% were taking prolonged half-life benzodiazepines, 4.4% anticonvulsants (mostly barbiturates), 2.5% antidepressants (all cyclics) and 8.1% alpha-methyldopa. No subject reported use of hypnotics, neuroleptics or drugs to treat Alzheimer's or Parkinson's diseases (except biperiden). As a whole, drugs that increase the risk of falls were used by 1/5 of this population. In the 12-month period preceding the study, 27 residents (16.8%) experienced falls and, of those, 4 (14.8%) had fracture(s). There was an independent association between psychoactive drug use and falls when variables such as age, gender, vision and hearing were controlled (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Although the population of this neighborhood must be considered young (only 4% are 65 years old or more), there are already problems related to the use of psychoactive drugs among people. Prescribed anxiolytics, anticonvulsants, antidepressants and antihypertensives are not appropriate for this age group and their use is associated with falls.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
 All the contents of this journal, except where otherwise noted, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License