Wellington, June 18 NZPA

Older people who have depression or are taking anti-depressants have an increased risk of falls, a New Zealand and Australian study reveals.

Research published this week in the interactive journal for scientific and medical research PLoS ONE suggests people with depression and those taking antidepressants, especially selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are 50 percent more likely to fall than other older people

In a study of 21,900 Australians aged over 60, who responded to a survey sent out by their GP, 24 percent reported at least one fall during the past 12 months, 11 percent had injured themselves with falling and 8 percent needed to see a doctor because of a fall.

About one quarter of the group reported symptoms of depression and 12 percent were taking some form of antidepressant.

While using antidepressants was a significant risk for falls, the highest risk (66 percent increase in falls) was seen when older people used SSRIs, the most frequently prescribed antidepressant (6 percent of people took this medication).

"Falls are very common and risk factors for falls are easy to identify," said Auckland University associate professor Ngaire Kerse, lead author of the study.

"The risk associated with SSRIs has been reported before but not in such a large group of older people living in the community.

"More than 60 percent of women aged over 80 with depression and taking an SSRI fell in the past year."

Fall prevention strategies must be considered when prescribing antidepressants for older people, Prof Kerse said today.

The study also found:

* women were more likely to sustain injury than men;

* those with depression were up to 70 percent more likely to have multiple falls and injury than those who were not; and

* depression, taking antidepressants, having thought about suicide, having had a stroke, arthritis or suffering from more than three medical problems were associated with having more than one fall.

The study suggested effective prevention programmes include lower leg strengthening and balance retraining, as well as home assessment and modification programmes to reduce hazards.

Home hazard assessment and modification should include appropriate lighting, removing obstacles and installing transfer rails. Family members also needed to be involved , Prof Kerse said.

"More than one-third of patients with depression will fall and the consequences can be disastrous ."

The study, involving Auckland University and four Australian universities , was funded by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council and anti-depressant group beyondblue.

NZ

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