Age-related risk of serious fall events and opioid analgesic use

JAMA Internal Medicine

2024-02-19

(Press-News.org) About The Study: The results of this study of 3.2 million people who initiated prescription opioid treatment suggest that prescription opioids were associated with increased risk of serious fall events among adults of all ages, with individuals 85 years or older at greatest risk. These risks should be considered when prescribing opioids, particularly for individuals with preexisting risk factors or when opioids are prescribed at higher doses. Targeted falls prevention efforts may be most effective within the first month following opioid initiation.

Authors: Natasa Gisev, Ph.D., of the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, is the corresponding author.

To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https://media.jamanetwork.com/

(doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.8154)

Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

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Age-related risk of serious fall events and opioid analgesic use

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