
%0 Journal Article
%T Beta-blocker use and fall risk in older individuals; original results from two studies with meta-analysis
%J British journal of clinical pharmacology
%D 2017
%A Ham, Annelies C.
%A van Dijk, Suzanne C.
%A Swart, Karin M. A.
%A Enneman, Anke W.
%A van der Zwaluw, Nikita L.
%A Brouwer-Brolsma, Elske M.
%A van Schoor, Natasja M.
%A Carola Zillikens, M.
%A Lips, Paul
%A de Groot, Lisette C. P. G. M.
%A Hofman, Albert
%A Witkamp, Renger F.
%A Uitterlinden, Andre G.
%A Stricker, Bruno H.
%A van der Velde, Nathalie
%V 83
%N 10
%P 2292-2302
%X AIMS: To investigate the association between use of beta-blockers and beta-blocker characteristics - selectivity, lipid solubility, intrinsic sympathetic activity (ISA), and CYP2D6 enzyme metabolism - and fall risk. <br><br>METHODS: Data from two prospective studies were used, including community-dwelling individuals, N=7,662 (the Rotterdam Study) and 2,407 (B-PROOF), all aged ≥55 years. Fall incidents were recorded prospectively. Time-varying beta-blocker use was determined using pharmacy dispensing records. Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for age and sex were applied to determine the association between beta-blocker use, their characteristics - selectivity, lipid solubility, ISA, and CYP2D6 enzyme metabolism - , and fall risk. The results of the studies were combined using meta-analyses. <br><br>RESULTS: In total 2,917 participants encountered a fall during a total follow-up time of 89,529 years. Meta-analysis indicated no association between use of any beta-blocker, compared to non-use, and fall risk, HR=0.97 (95%CI 0.88; 1.06). Neither was use of a selective beta-blocker associated with fall risk, HR=0.92 (95%CI 0.83; 1.01). Use of a non-selective beta-blocker was associated with an increased fall risk, HR=1.22 (95%CI 1.01; 1.48). Other beta-blocker characteristics including lipid solubility and CYP2D6 enzyme metabolism were not associated with fall risk. <br><br>CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that use of a non-selective beta-blocker, contrary to selective beta-blockers, is associated with an increased fall risk in an older population. In clinical practice, beta-blockers have been shown effective for a variety of cardiovascular indications. Though, fall risk should be considered when prescribing a beta-blocker in this age group, and the pros and cons for beta-blockers classes should be taken into consideration.<br><br>This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>
%G en
%I John Wiley and Sons
%@ 0306-5251
%U http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bcp.13328