The prevalence of potential alcohol-drug interactions in older adults
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the possibility of clinically significant drug-alcohol interactions among home-dwelling older adults aged ≥ 65 years.
DESIGN: This study was a cross-sectional assessment of a stratified random sample of 2100 elderly people (≥ 65 years) in Espoo, Finland. The response rate was 71.6% from the community-dwelling sample. The drugs were coded according to their Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification index (ATC DDD 2012). Significant alcohol interactive (AI) drugs were examined according to the Swedish, Finnish, INteraction X-referencing (SFINX) interaction database, as well as concomitant use of central nervous system drugs, hypoglycaemics, and warfarin with alcohol. "At-risk alcohol users" were defined consuming > 7 drinks/week, or ≥ 5 drinks on a typical drinking day, or using ≥ 3 drinks several times/week, "moderate users" as consuming at least one drink/month, but less than 7 drinks/week, and "minimal/non-users" less than one drink/month.
RESULTS: Of the total sample (n = 1395), 1142 respondents responded as using at least one drug. Of the drug users, 715 (62.6%) persons used alcohol. The mean number of medications was 4.2 (SD 2.5) among "at-risk users", 4.0 (SD 2.6) among "moderate users", and 5.4 (SD 3.4) among "minimal/non-users" (p < 0.001). The concomitant use of AI drugs was widespread. Among the "at-risk users", "moderate users", and "minimal/nonusers" 42.2%, 34.9%, and 52.7%, respectively, were on AI drugs…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 2,100 participants or records.
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