Dementia medications and risk of falls, syncope, and related adverse events: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) and memantine on the risk of falls, syncope, and related events, defined as fracture and accidental injury.

Design

Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials that were identified from MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (no language restriction, through July 2009), and manual search.

Setting

Community and nursing homes.

Participants

Participants in fifty-four placebo-controlled randomized trials and extension studies of ChEIs and memantine that reported falls, syncope, and related events in cognitively impaired older adults.

Measurements

Falls, syncope, fracture, and accidental injury.

Results

ChEI use was associated with greater risk of syncope (

SUBMITTER: Kim DH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3260523 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature