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First-line antihypertensives, statins not associated with increased fall risk in older adults

First-line antihypertensives may be safer for older adults in terms of fall injuries, according to research presented at the annual American Geriatrics Society meeting.

David S. Lee, PharmD, PhD, from the College of Pharmacy at Oregon State University, and colleagues found that second-line hypertensives increased the risk for serious fall injuries for various age groups.

"Studies of antihypertensives and falls have been mixed, resulting in controversy and clinical confusion," the researchers wrote.

Lee and colleagues conducted the study to "clarify the effect of antihypertensives on the risk of serious fall injuries, first-line compared to second-line antihypertensives and age."

They assessed data from 26,408 participants aged 50 to 85 years in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, including first- and second-line antihypertensives, statins and sedatives.

Results showed that statins and first-line antihypertensives did not increase the risk for serious fall injuries for any adults.

Lee and colleagues reported that the risk for fall injuries among participants who did not use the medications was 1.7% (95% CI, 1.4-2) for adults aged 50 years and 5.2% (95% CI, 4.3-6.1) for adults aged 85 years; second-line hypertensives increased this risk by 1.5% (95% CI, 0.24-2.7) and 2.5% (95% CI, 0.44-4.6), respectively.

In addition, use of sedatives increased the risk for serious fall injuries for adults aged between 50 and 79, but not adults aged 80 years and older.

"Second-line antihypertensives increase the absolute risk of serious fall injuries in all age groups and grew with advancing age," Lee and colleagues concluded. "The relative risk declined with advancing age, this was due to the baseline risk of fall injuries increased for nonusers with advancing ae. First-line antihypertensives may be safer with regard to fall injuries. The absolute risk grew with age and the risks and benefits of antihypertensives should be considered when choosing an antihypertensive." – by Chelsea Frajerman Pardes

Reference:

Lee DS, et al. The risk of serious falls injury in adults aged 50 to 85 years taking first-line and second-line hypertensive medications. Presented at: American Geriatrics Society 2016 Annual Meeting; May 19-21; Long Beach, California.

Disclosures: Healio Internal Medicine was unable to confirm relevant financial disclosures before publication.