Drugs given to dementia patients put them at risk of early death

Powerful sedatives and painkillers given to hundreds of thousands of dementia patients put them at risk of early death, warns research

Researchers have today revealed the dangers of z-drugs and buprenorphine
Two major studies involved scientists from leading universities across Britain
The results were presented at an Alzheimer’s Conference in Chicago today

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Powerful sedatives and painkillers are endangering the lives of hundreds of thousands of people with dementia, doctors have warned.

Researchers have revealed the dangers of z-drugs, sleeping medications taken by dementia patients, and buprenorphine, an opioid painkiller.

These drugs are particularly common in care homes, where staff often use strong medication to help them deal with difficult elderly patients.

Two major studies – involving experts from leading universities across Britain – reveal the dangers of using powerful drugs on vulnerable people who have problems communicating.

The Daily Mail has been campaigning for more than a year for the Government to recognise the scale of a crisis in dangerous prescription medication, which often leave people addicted through no fault of their own.

Researchers have revealed the dangers of z-drugs, sleeping medications taken by dementia patients, and buprenorphine, an opioid painkiller

But the new findings suggest some of our most vulnerable citizens are those at the greatest risk.

The results, presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Chicago, open up a new front in the war on dangerous prescription drugs.

Experts have already warned for years that care staff too often use anti-psychotic drugs as a ‘chemical cosh’ to control the behaviour of difficult dementia patients.

Concerns have also been raised about the use of benzodiazepines as a sedative.

But the new studies – involving the universities of Exeter, East Anglia, Newcastle, Aston, King’s College London and University College London – reveal two other types of drugs are also putting people with dementia at risk.

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The first study, which included 4,500 dementia patients, found taking hypnotic sedatives known as z-drugs – such as zolpidem, zopiclone and zaleplon – increased the risk of bone fractures by 40 per cent and increased the risk of death by 34 per cent.

The pills are usually used to help people sleep but can also be used to treat anxiety – both problems that are common in dementia patients. They are taken by an estimated 80,000 dementia patients in Britain.

A second study of 162 people found buprenorphine – a common painkiller taken by 120,000 dementia patients in Britain – tripled the risk of psychotic and neurological problems, such as personality changes, confusion and sedation.

People who took the drug also saw their daytime activity drop 13 per within a week, a major risk factor for a group of people already largely confined indoors.

The scientists also believe buprenorphine increases the risk of death – though they admitted the numbers were too small for this to be definitive.

Professor Clive Ballard of Exeter University, who was involved with both studies, said: ‘We should be trying to find non-drug solutions.

ARE THE DRUGS GIVEN TO DEMENTIA PATIENTS REALLY DANGEROUS?

The results, presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Chicago, open up a new front in the war on dangerous prescription drugs.

Experts have already warned for years that care staff too often use anti-psychotic drugs as a ‘chemical cosh’ to control the behaviour of difficult dementia patients.

Concerns have also been raised about the use of benzodiazepines as a sedative.

‘Obviously the easiest thing is to give people a pill. But other things could work – maybe not putting people to bed so early will help them sleep, making sure they are active during the day, dealing with any anxieties.

‘If they are in pain maybe physiotherapy would work.

‘Obviously these approaches might not be the answer for all of them, but it could be a solution for some of the 200,000 people currently taking these drugs.’

He said previous research into the dangers of anti-psychotics led to a reduction in prescribing by 50 per cent.

‘We now urgently need a similar concerted approach to z-drugs, to protect frail elderly people with dementia from fractures and increased risk of death,’ he said.

The scandalous treatment of vulnerable and disabled people was highlighted during the exposure of treatment in Winterbourne View care home in Bristol in 2011.

Patients at the care home were forcibly sedated with drugs, with six care workers jailed and five others given suspended sentences as a result.

There is no suggestion in the new study that carers are using z-drugs or opiates in the same way, but the studies highlight that even well-meaning use of powerful drugs can do more harm than good.

Professor Ballard added: ‘Pain is a symptom that can cause huge distress and it’s important that we can provide relief to people with dementia.

‘Sadly at the moment we’re harming people when we’re trying to ease their pain.

‘We urgently need more research in this area, and we must get this dosing right. We need to establish the best treatment pathway and examine appropriate dosing for people with dementia.’

Professor Chris Fox from the University of East Anglia, who led the z-drugs study, added: ‘Around half of people with dementia have trouble sleeping, wake often and wander during the night.

‘Z-drugs are commonly prescribed to help treat insomnia but it is thought that they may cause increased confusion and other problems such as falls and fractures.

‘People living with dementia should only be prescribed a hypnotic if the benefits clearly outweigh the risks, and any such prescription should be regularly reviewed.’

Dr Doug Brown, chief policy and research officer at the Alzheimer’s Society, said: ‘Sleep disturbances are a common symptom of dementia, and can make life for the person with dementia, and their carer, really challenging.

‘We recommend personalised non-drug solutions, like avoiding caffeine or taking exercise in the day, to help with sleep.’

Dr Laura Phipps from Alzheimer’s Research UK added: ‘It is essential that people living with dementia are given as much help as possible to manage chronic pain, but this research suggests they may be particularly susceptible to harmful side-effects of common opioid-based painkillers.

‘Researchers need to explore whether tailoring dosages of painkillers for people with dementia could limit their side-effects while retaining their important benefits.’

WHAT IS DEMENTIA? THE KILLER DISEASE THAT ROBS SUFFERERS OF THEIR MEMORIES

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological disorders

A GLOBAL CONCERN

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders, that is, conditions affecting the brain.

There are many different types of dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common.

Some people may have a combination of types of dementia.

Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience their dementia in their own unique way.

Dementia is a global concern but it is most often seen in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live into very old age.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?

The Alzheimer’s Society reports there are more than 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK today, of which more than 500,000 have Alzheimer’s.

It is estimated that the number of people living with dementia in the UK by 2025 will rise to over 1 million.

In the US, it’s estimated there are 5.5 million Alzheimer’s sufferers. A similar percentage rise is expected in the coming years.

As a person’s age increases, so does the risk of them developing dementia.

Rates of diagnosis are improving but many people with dementia are thought to still be undiagnosed.

IS THERE A CURE?

Currently there is no cure for dementia.

But new drugs can slow down its progression and the earlier it is spotted the more effective treatments are.

Source: Dementia UK

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