A BBC health expert has issued a warning regarding widely prescribed antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications, following a study that found increased mortality risks for individuals with dementia. Drugs such as Sertraline, Citalopram, and Fluoxetine, taken by millions across the UK, have been flagged as a concern.
Study Findings from Queen's University Belfast
Research conducted by Queen's University Belfast examined the impact of these medications on people living with dementia. The lead author, Dr. Catherine Sinnamon, stated that some medicines "may not always be appropriate" for dementia patients. The study analyzed data from 28,781 individuals in Northern Ireland over a nine-year period, from 2012 to 2020.
During the follow-up, antidepressants were prescribed to 59.2% of those who died, while anti-anxiety medications were prescribed to 44.8%. The findings revealed a marginally elevated risk of death among dementia patients prescribed antidepressants, and a significantly higher risk—up to 26%—in those given anti-anxiety drugs like diazepam and lorazepam.
Dr. Oscar Duke's Commentary
Speaking on BBC Morning Live, Dr. Oscar Duke addressed the findings, urging caution but not panic. He explained that the study aimed to understand how medications affect dementia patients' life expectancy. "There was a very small change with the antidepressants—around an 8% increase in mortality over the 10 years studied," he said. For anti-anxiety drugs, the increase was more pronounced.
Dr. Duke suggested that the higher mortality might be due to sedative effects, increasing the risk of falls and injuries in elderly patients. "If you're confused and drowsy, you might fall and break a hip, which impacts life expectancy," he noted. He recommended that patients discuss their medication with healthcare professionals to assess necessity and benefits.
Implications for Dementia Care
Dementia affects over 55 million people worldwide, with nearly 1 million in the UK alone. As the population ages, cases are expected to rise. Dr. Heather Barry, the study's principal investigator, emphasized the importance of regular medication reviews for dementia patients. "This underscores the need for GPs and pharmacists to ensure medications are still appropriate," she said.
The research was supported by the Honest Broker Service and funded by the Business Services Organisation and the Department of Health in Northern Ireland.
