Antidepressants could reduce the risk of falls and related injuries in some older adults

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-08-27 01:00

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In older adults with depression, getting treatment could also decrease the risk of falls, according to international researchers. The team looked at data from 101,953 adults over 65 diagnosed with depression and whether or not their depression was being treated. They found that those on first-line antidepressants had a reduced risk of falls and related injuries compared with those who were not receiving treatment. Psychotherapy was not associated with a reduced risk of falls and related injuries. While this kind of study can't prove cause and effect, the team says there have been concerns in the past about antidepressant treatments in older adults, and these findings highlight the critical consequences of untreated depression, which they say can also lead to reduced brain function, increased suicide risk, higher death rates and reduced quality of life.

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Research JAMA, Web page

Journal/
conference: JAMA Network Open

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: University of Pittsburgh, USA

Funder: Conflict of Interest Disclosures: Dr Shorr reported providing expert testimony on falls that occur in the hospital outside the submitted work. Dr Lo-Ciganic reported receiving grant R21 AG060308 from the National Institute of Aging during the conduct of the study and receiving grants from Merck, Sharp and Dohme, and Bristol Myers Squibb, serving as a consultant for Teva Pharmaceutical, and having a patent pending outside the submitted work. Dr Lai reported receiving funding from Amgen, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, and Takeda outside the submitted work. No other disclosures were reported.

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