JAMA Netw Open
Do antidepressants impact fall risk in older adults?
First-line antidepressants are associated with a lower risk of falls and related injuries (FRI) compared with those who are untreated. These findings offer important insights into the safety of these medications, helping clinicians make informed decisions when treating depression in older adults.
- In this cohort study of 101,953 Medicare beneficiaries, researchers evaluated the association between FRI risk and first-line treatments in older adults with depression. Main outcomes were one-year FRI rate and restricted mean survival time (RMST).
- First-line antidepressants were associated with a decreased FRI risk compared with no treatment, with adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) for bupropion and escitalopram ranging from 0.74 and 0.83, respectively. Psychotherapy use wasn't associated with FRI risk (aHR, 0.94).
- FRI incidence was lower for those treated with bupropion compared with those who were untreated (63 vs. 87 per 1,000 person-years). RMST was slightly lower for those who were untreated compared to those treated with bupropion (349 vs. 353 days).
Source:
Wang GH, et al. (2024, August 1). JAMA Netw Open. Injurious Fall Risk Differences Among Older Adults With First-Line Depression Treatments. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39186265/