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A new study published in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation highlights a significant concern for people living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)—the increased risk of falls and related injuries due to commonly prescribed medications.
COPD, a group of inflammatory lung diseases including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is known for causing breathlessness, chronic cough, and fatigue. It affects over 30 million Americans and is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. People with COPD often have other comorbidities, such as diabetes or hypertension, which require treatment with medications that can inadvertently heighten the risk of falls.
The recent study, led by Dr. Cara L. McDermott, PharmD, Ph.D., an assistant professor in the Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Care at Duke University School of Medicine, investigated the correlation between medication use and fall risk in people with COPD. Dr. McDermott emphasized that medications often prescribed to manage the symptoms of COPD and related conditions—such as opioids, benzodiazepines, and other pain management drugs—are known to increase fall risk.
“Fall-risk increasing drugs are commonly prescribed to people with COPD because they experience a high number of symptoms and conditions that indicate use of these drugs,” Dr. McDermott explained. “However, injuries from falls can lead to emergency department visits or hospitalization, resulting in a lower quality of life and increased healthcare costs.”
The study analyzed data from over 8,200 adults aged 40 or older with COPD, linked to death certificates in Washington State from 2014 to 2018. It found that 65% of participants were prescribed at least one fall-risk increasing drug, and 30% experienced a fall with injury in the two years prior to their death.
The study’s findings suggest a direct link between the number of fall-risk increasing medications and the likelihood of falls. “We found that the chance of a person falling increased relative to how many fall-risk increasing drugs they used,” Dr. McDermott said.
This research calls for a collaborative approach between pulmonologists, pharmacists, and patients to address this issue. The study advocates for developing fall prevention strategies, reducing the use of these high-risk drugs, and exploring alternative methods to reduce fall risk in individuals with COPD.
The findings serve as an important reminder to healthcare providers about the potential risks associated with the medication regimens prescribed to COPD patients and the need for more proactive approaches to patient safety.
For more details, see the full study: Cara L. McDermott et al, “Fall Risk and Medication Use Near End of Life Among Adults With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease,” Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation (2024). DOI: 10.15326/jcopdf.2024.0551.
