There is an increased risk of death for some people taking antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications, a new study from has suggested. The study, from Queen’s University Belfast, has revealed that some medications “may not always be appropriate” for people with dementia.
Researchers from the School of Pharmacy and Centre for Public Health looked at trends in prescribing medications used to treat depression and anxiety in people with dementia. They explored the link between the medications and the risk of death, examining 28,781 people living with dementia from Northern Ireland between 2012 and 2020, half of whom died during this time.
Dementia impacts around 55 million people across the world, with an estimated 10 million new cases every year. According to Dr Catherine Sinnamon, lead author on the research, dementia remains one of the leading causes of death globally.
She said: “It is therefore vitally important we look to ways to improve health and quality of life and reduce social and economic costs.” However, some people living with dementia have other conditions which means they are prescribed multiple medications.
Dr Sinnamon added: “Sometimes these medicines may not always be appropriate. Our study aimed to uncover how antidepressant medications affect people with dementia to ensure we can provide them with the best treatment and care.”
The research found that antidepressants were prescribed to 59.2% of those who died during the follow-up period, while 44.8% of them were prescribed anti-anxiety medications. There was evidence of a slight increased risk of death in people with dementia-prescribed antidepressants and a strong increased risk in those prescribed anti-anxiety medications.
Dr Heather Barry, principal investigator on the study, said the findings “extend our knowledge and highlight the importance of judicious prescribing for people with dementia.” She added: It further underscores the importance of medications being regularly and thoroughly reviewed in people with dementia, whether that be by a GP or a pharmacist, to ensure they are still appropriate.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
