Mortality and Prevalence of Falls, and their Association with Psychiatric Diagnoses and Psychotropic Medications

Nantawat Sitdhiraksa; Nattawut Apiwannarat; Wichian Boonyaprapa; Naratip Sanguanpanich; Wandee Wansrisuthon; Pakaratee Chaiyawat; Woraphat Ratta-Apha; Jingswat Sirikunchoat; Pornjira Pariwatcharakul

doi:10.33192/Smj.2020.54

Authors

Nantawat Sitdhiraksa Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5513-5824
Nattawut Apiwannarat Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
Wichian Boonyaprapa Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9554-4454
Naratip Sanguanpanich Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7354-9913
Wandee Wansrisuthon Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7990-6731
Pakaratee Chaiyawat Faculty of Physical Therapy, Mahidol University http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2647-3116
Woraphat Ratta-Apha Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8776-2427
Jingswat Sirikunchoat Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6133-3752
Pornjira Pariwatcharakul Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0228-3043

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33192/Smj.2020.54

Keywords:

Falls, prevalence, psychiatric diagnosis, psychotropic medication, survival

Abstract

Objective: Falls are a significant health problem which affects quality of life in the elderly. This study was undertaken to study mortality and prevalence of falls, and their associations with psychiatric diagnoses and psychotropic medications.
Methods: The study was a retrospective 10-year data analysis of a general hospital database from 2006-2015. Prevalence, odds ratio, hazard ratio, and survival analysis were analyzed to study the association.
Results: The overall prevalence of falls was 3.6%. Subjects with psychiatric diagnoses were with 3.28 more chance of falls. Subjects with psychotropic medication prescriptions were with 1.76 more chance of falls. Survival analysis revealed mean survival of 6.84 years after falls. The average survival years after falls was age related. Subjects with history of falls and carrying psychiatric diagnoses were with mean survival of 6.55 years and the hazard ratio of 0.84. Subjects with history of falls and psychotropic medication prescriptions were with means survival 6.15 years and the hazard ratio of 1.27.
Conclusion: Psychiatric diagnoses and psychotropic medication prescriptions were associated with falls. Subjects with history of psychotropic medication prescriptions were associated with higher risk of mortality.

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