Study, May/19: Burn Injury Risk Associated w/Benzos & Z-drugs in Seniors

The full title of this Taiwanese study is "Hospitalized Burn Injury Risk Associated with Benzodiazepines and Z-Drugs in Elders: A Population-Based Case-Control Study".

This is the first time I've come across this particular risk. There are lots of studies on the risks of falls, fractures and motor vehicle accidents, but I haven't seen anything on the risk of burns. They're all related, though. People's cognitive function, reaction times, balance, muscle function, etc., can all be negatively affected by benzos and Z-drugs, which may result in various mishaps. Seniors are more at risk due to their slower metabolism of medications.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31111978 

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To examine the association between benzodiazepines (BZDs) and Z-drugs treatment and risk of burn injury in elders.

METHODS:

We designed a nested case-control study. All subjects were aged 65 and older and enrolled in the National Health Insurance program in Taiwan, 2003-2012. 813 cases were identified with burn injury for the first time in their inpatient claims, and they were individually matched to 4879 controls based on age, gender, and index year. Benzodiazepines, and Z-drugs usage (doses, duration, half-life) and the other covariates including comorbidities, health care utilization, and psychotropic medications used in the 365 days before index events were examined.

RESULTS:

A significant increased risk of burn injury hospitalization in elders was observed among current Z-drugs users compared with non-users (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.59, 95%CI = 1.23-2.07). BZDs at high (AOR = 1.81, 95%CI = 1.12-2.94) and medium dosage (AOR =1.53, 95%CI =1.15-2.04) and Z-drugs at medium dosage (AOR =1.60, 95%CI =1.20-2.12) were all significantly increased the burn-related injury requiring hospitalization. Polypharmacy of anxiolytic and hypnotic BZDs, long and short acting BZDs, and more than one BZD with or without Z-drugs also increased the risk.

CONCLUSIONS:

BZDs and Z-drugs prescriptions in elders may be associated with increased risk of burn injury hospitalization. When prescribing BZDs and Z-drugs, clinicians should exercise caution with the elderly to minimize risks.