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Few studies have been designed to examine age-related risk for falls associated with opioid use. In this population-based study, Australian researchers quantified age-related risk for serious falls (defined as hospitalization, emergency department visit, or death related to a fall) among 3.2 million adults who initiated prescription opioids between 2005 and 2018.
During a median follow-up of 4.3 years, 506,000 serious falls occurred (5200 fatalities). Adjusted for multiple variables, risk for serious falls was significantly elevated in all age groups during exposure to opioids. Compared with young adults, people in the oldest age category (age, ≥85) had significantly higher risk for serious falls (rate ratio, 6.4). For all age groups, risk f…