Fall Incidence and the Use of Psychotropic, Opioid or Cardiovascular Medications

Background: Medications are one identifiable risk factor for falls. In addition to polypharmacy, certain medications have been associated with an increased risk for falls. The purpose of this study is to assess if the most frequently prescribed medication categories: psychotropic, opioid and cardiovascular are associated with an increased incidence of falls in community dwelling adults 65 years and older. Methods: This retrospective observational study used data collected from subjects who participated in the Senior Awareness and Fall Education Balance Screening Program throughout Fresno County from 2007-2014. A review was completed by one person to identify psychotropic, opioid, and cardiovascular medications. Due to the abundance of cardiovascular medications, this group was classified into 12 subcategories. Participants were identified as a faller if they had experienced ≥2 falls in the last year and ≤1 fall served as the comparison group. Results: A total of 509 participants were included. A stepwise logistic regression analysis was used to examine the predictor of falls. The overall model was statistically significant (P