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Retrospective Review of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors and Falling in Older Nursing Home Residents

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 January 2005

Cynthia L. Arfken
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Center for Healthcare Effectiveness Research, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
Jacquelyn Gardner Wilson
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Center for Healthcare Effectiveness Research, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA Department of Pharmacy Practice, Wayne State University School of Allied Health, Detroit, Michigan, USA
Stephen M. Aronson
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Center for Healthcare Effectiveness Research, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA Oakwood Healthcare System, Dearborn, Michigan, USA.

Abstract

We compared the rate of falling in older nursing home residents who had been prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), other classes of antidepressants, and no antidepressants. Data were obtained from pharmacy records, medical records, fall logs, and incidence reports for one nursing home (1995 data). Older adults on SSRIs were more likely to fall than older adults not on antidepressants (p = .003) and were more likely to have an injurious fall (p = .03). The association with falling remained significant even when including potential confounders (p = .007). Older nursing home residents should be treated for depression. However, SSRIs may also carry an increased risk for falling.

Type
Articles
Copyright
© 2001 International Psychogeriatric Association

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