New US study confirms inappropriate use of sedative hypnotics by elderly may increase adverse events, health care costs

A new study from US pharmacy management benefits firm Prescription Solutions provides important evidence that the use of certain potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) among the elderly may increase adverse events and health care costs. Among these are sedative, with some well-known drugs in this category including diazepam (Valium) and secobarbital (Seconal).

Among the key study findings was that patients receiving sedative hypnotics (classified as Beers high-severity, or BHS) were significantly more likely (22%) to suffer a fall or fracture than control subjects. In addition, patients exposed to these medications had significantly higher adjusted medical and total health care costs than those in the control group ($20,537 versus $15,835 for adjusted medical costs and $21,807 vs $17,154 for adjusted total health care costs; P<.001 for both). >

Clinicians and managed care organizations use specific measures, based on the Beers criteria, to help identify and target elderly patients who may be at risk of adverse events due to their use of PIMs. While the Beers criteria are widely used, there has been very limited data on clinical outcomes associated with specific PIMs, the report notes.