Use of antiepileptic Drugs increases risk of hip fracture in Alzheimer's Disease: Study

The following facts were observed-

1. Altogether 5522 incident users were identified and matched to 11,044 non-users (in both groups, women: 65%; median age: 81 years).
2. Altogether 53.3% of users initiated with newer AEDs (pregabalin 79.8%, gabapentin 10.2%) while 46.7% initiated with older AEDs (valproate 67.6%, carbamazepine 13.0%).
3. Age- and sex-adjusted IR of hip fracture per 100 person-years was 1.8 (95% CI 1.6– 1.9) in non-users and 2.0 (95% CI 1.8– 2.2) in users.
4. Increased risk of hip fracture was observed in users (HR 1.17, 95% CI 1.05– 1.30) compared with non-users.
5. The risk was higher for short duration of use (< 14 weeks, HR 3.64, 95% CI 2.90– 4.58) than for medium duration (14 to < 64 weeks, HR 1.74, 95% CI 1.48– 2.05) or ≥ 64 weeks' use (HR 1.23, 95% CI 1.08– 1.40), compared to non-users with same follow-up time.
6. Older AEDs had HR of 1.46 (1.03– 2.08) compared with newer AEDs.

Hence, the authors concluded that "AED use is associated with an increased risk of hip fracture in people with AD."

These findings prompt careful consideration before prescribing AEDs to persons with AD. Persons with AD treated with antiepileptics should be carefully monitored due to their increased risk of falling and fractures, they further added.