Skip to main content
Top
Published in:

09-05-2024 | Opioids | Original Research Article

Risk of Mortality Associated with Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use Including Opioids in Older Adults

Authors: Carina D’Aiuto, Carlotta Lunghi, Line Guénette, Djamal Berbiche, Karine Bertrand, Helen-Maria Vasiliadis

Published in: Drug Safety | Issue 8/2024

Login to get access

Abstract

Introduction and Objective

As the population ages, understanding the potential risks associated with inappropriate medication use becomes increasingly important. Given the lack of studies in this area, our objective was to study the risk of mortality associated with potentially inappropriate medication use involving opioids in community-dwelling older adults.

Methods

Data came from a longitudinal study on older adults aged ≥ 65 years recruited in primary care clinics between 2011 and 2013 with an average follow-up of 4.25 years. Older adults were excluded if they used an opioid or had a malignant tumor diagnosis in the year before the study survey. A nested case-control within a cohort of older adults with at least one opioid claim during follow-up was used to evaluate the risk of all-cause mortality. Four controls per case were matched on follow-up time using risk-set sampling, i.e., while still at risk of death when their matched case died. The risk of mortality was estimated using conditional logistic regression analyses. Exposure to potentially inappropriate medication use involving opioids, defined using the Beers 2019 criteria, was assessed from provincial drug claims data in the 0–90 days before death.

Results

In a cohort of 472 community-dwelling older adults with an incident episode of opioid use, there were 40 cases matched to 160 controls. Exposure to inappropriate medication use involving opioids in the 90 days before death was associated with an increased risk of mortality (odds ratio 6.81, 95% confidence interval 1.69–27.47), after adjusting for potential confounders.

Conclusions

Exposure to inappropriate medication use involving opioids in the 90 days before death is associated with an increased risk of mortality in older adults. These findings can be used to encourage safer pain management strategies in older adults.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
5.
7.
go back to reference Kwan D, Farrell B. Polypharmacy: optimizing medication use in elderly patients. Can Geriatr Soc J CME. 2014;4(1):7. Kwan D, Farrell B. Polypharmacy: optimizing medication use in elderly patients. Can Geriatr Soc J CME. 2014;4(1):7.
27.
go back to reference American Psychiatric Association APA. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM). 5th ed. American Psychiatric Publishing; 2013. American Psychiatric Association APA. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM). 5th ed. American Psychiatric Publishing; 2013.
Metadata
Title
Risk of Mortality Associated with Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use Including Opioids in Older Adults
Authors
Carina D’Aiuto
Carlotta Lunghi
Line Guénette
Djamal Berbiche
Karine Bertrand
Helen-Maria Vasiliadis
Publication date
09-05-2024
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Keywords
Opioids
Opioids
Published in
Drug Safety / Issue 8/2024
Print ISSN: 0114-5916
Electronic ISSN: 1179-1942
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40264-024-01429-1