Mortality and prevalence of falls, and their association with psychiatric diagnoses and psychotropic medications

Objective: Falls are a significant health problem that can affect the quality of life of older adults. This study was undertaken to study the 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. The prevalence, odds ratio, hazard ratio, and survival analysis were analyzed to study the association with falls. Results: The overall prevalence of falls was 3.6%. Subjects with a psychiatric diagnosis had a 3.28 times greater chance of falls. Subjects taking prescribed psychotropic medication had a 1.76 times greater chance of falls. Survival analysis revealed a mean survival of 6.84 years after falls. The average survival years after falls was age-related. Subjects with a history of falls and carrying a psychiatric diagnosis had a mean survival of 6.55 years and a hazard ratio of 0.84. Subjects with a history of falls and taking prescribed psychotropic medication had a mean survival of 6.15 years and a hazard ratio of 1.27. Conclusion: A psychiatric diagnosis and psychotropic medication prescriptions were associated with a greater chance of falls. Subjects with a history of taking prescribed psychotropic medication had a higher risk of mortality from falls.