Purpose: Old people in general, and particularly those with dementia, are more sensitive to adverse drug effects than younger people. Despite this, the use of central nervous system (CNS) drugs among old people is common. The aim of the present study was to compare the use of central nervous system drugs and analgesics among people aged 85 years or older, with and without dementia.
Methods: One half of all people aged 85 years old and all those aged 90, 95 and above in Umeå, Sweden and Vaasa and Mustasaari, Finland, were asked to participate in this part of the GERDA/Umeå 85+ study. Both those living in their own homes and those in institutions were included. Trained investigators performed structured interviews and assessments. Medication data were obtained from the participants and medical records. Dementia disorders were diagnosed according to DSM-IV.
Results: Dementia was diagnosed in 247/546 participants (45.2%). A higher proportion of the participants with dementia used paracetamol (50.6% compared to 21.4%, p < 0.001), antipsychotics (22.3% and 2.7%, p < 0.001), antidepressants (33.6% and 11.4%, p < 0.001) and anxiolytics (19.0% and 8.0%, p < 0.001). There were no differences in the use of opioid analgesics, anticonvulsants and hypnotics.
Conclusions: The use of CNS drugs and analgesics was common among this population of very old people. Furthermore, the prescription of CNS drugs was more common among people with dementia. The use of antipsychotics in people with dementia should arouse particular concern, because of the high risk of severe adverse events and the limited evidence of positive effects.