New research finds link between common medicines and serious falls in older men

Scientists from the University of East Anglia have today announced the results of research into links between medication and serious falls in older men, after finding that certain prescriptions lead to an increased risk of injury.

According to the team, which published their results in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, the risk is with medicines that contain anti-cholinergic properties, which are often prescribed for older people who have respiratory problems, depression, psychosis, bladder problems and insomnia.

Taking data from the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), the scientists found that anti-cholinergic medicines impact on the brain’s ability to pass messages between nerve cells by blocking a key chemical called acetylcholine. As a result, older men taking these medicines are at an increased risk of injury and death, although the drugs were found to have no such effect on women.

Lead researcher Dr Kathryn Richardson, who carried out the initial studies while a PhD student at Trinity College Dublin, said: “Our findings indicate the importance for doctors, pharmacists and healthcare professionals to regularly review the appropriateness of medications taken by their older patients.

“It is, however, important that people don’t stop taking any medications before speaking with their GP. It is not fully clear why the same link was not found in women and further research is needed to explore this and the reasons behind the findings in men.

“Experiencing a fall can have a devastating impact on older people’s lives and is a major contributor to care home admission and hospitalisation, so it is vitally important for us to find ways to reduce the risk of falls or their severity.”

The researchers are calling upon doctors, nurses and pharmacists to review medication where someone has suffered a fall as a vital safeguard to mobility and quality of life.

Senior author, Prof Rose Anne Kenny, said: “Falls are one of the leading causes of loss of independence as people get older and the principal reason given for admission into nursing home care in Europe. If early risk factors are identified and modified, falls can be prevented. This paper highlights important new risk factors for falls.”

Dr Chris Fox, from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, adds: “With the rising levels of frailty in older people we must develop strategies to maintain health and avoid prescribing medicines which could cause a deterioration – such an approach could be simply implemented using tools available.”

While being carried out at the University of East Anglia’s Norwich Medical School, the findings also include the expertise of researchers from the University of Aston, the University of Kent, and St James’ Hospital in Dublin.