Falls are a serious public health problem in the aging population because of the associated clinical and socioeconomic impact. Although previous studies have investigated fall-risk-increasing drugs (FRIDs), few studies have focused on dosage among adult inpatients. This study aimed to evaluate associations between fall risk and dosage of different FRIDs classes in hospital inpatients. Inpatients who experienced falls at medical or surgical wards of Changhua Christian Hospital from January 2017 to December 2021 were identified and matched by age, sex, and hospital ward to randomly selected controls (four per case). Anonymous patient data were extracted from the hospital medical data repository, including demographic characteristics, comorbidities, fall-risk scores, and drug prescriptions. Medication dosages were computed using the anatomical therapeutic chemical classification and the defined daily dose system of the World Health Organization. A total of 852 cases and 3408 controls were identified as eligible. Reducing the use of CNS-active medications, administering lower doses of sedative-hypnotics, prescribing sufficient dopaminergic anti-Parkinson agents, and using NSAIDs instead of opioids are imperative in preventing falls among hospitalized patients according to the findings in the study.

Objectives: This retrospective case-controlled study aimed to evaluate the association between the severity of fall-related injuries and fall-risk-increasing drugs (FRIDs) in hospitalized patients. Methods: Data were collected from Changhua Christian Hospital, Taiwan, of all adult inpatients who experienced falls between January 2017 and December 2021, and were divided into two groups based on whether they sustained severe fall-related injuries. Retrospective data that may affect the severity of fall-related injuries and the use of FRIDs were investigated. Results: Among 1231 documented cases of falls, 26 patients sustained severe fall-related injuries. Older patients and those with osteoporosis were more susceptible to more severe injuries from a fall. The use of mobility aids and osteoporosis medications showed protective effects against fall injuries. No significant association was observed between fall-related injuries and comorbidities or FRIDs. Multivariate analysis confirmed the inverse correlation between the use of mobility aids, osteoporosis medications, and fall severity. Patients with osteoporosis exhibited significantly higher odds of sustaining more severe injuries with a fall (odds ratio = 3.02, 95% confidence interval: 1.21–7.53). Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of addressing risk factors associated with fall severity among hospitalized patients. Providing mobility aids to persons at greater risk.

Background and Objectives: Attentional bias (AB) for addictive substances is a feature of attention found in individuals with substance misuse or diagnosed with substance use disorders. When AB exists, the attention of the addicted individual may be quickly oriented to cues related to the addictive substance or be maintained on these cues for a longer time. AB toward opioids was found in Western samples of smokers with chronic noncancer pain. The level of AB was dose-responsive. However, similar studies in the Taiwanese population are lacking. This study compared the patterns of AB for opioid analgesics in Taiwanese participants with chronic noncancer pain to that of individuals without pain. This study aimed to investigate if AB toward opioids is presented in Taiwanese heavy smokers who are on long-term opioid therapy for pain control. Materials and Methods: Participants were grouped into chronic noncancer pain smokers, chronic pain nonsmokers, and smokers without pain, according to smoking habits and whether or not on long-term opioid therapy for pain control. Each participant completed demographic questionnaires, mood scales, and the opioid-related visual probe task. Differences in AB among the groups were compared using a three-way analysis of covariance controlling for daily cigarette consumption. Results: Chronic noncancer pain smokers (n = 17) and chronic pain nonsmokers (n = 16) displayed more severe levels of depression, anxiety, and pain, compared to smokers without pain (n = 28). Only did chronic pain nonsmokers show significant AB for opioid cues that were displayed for a short time. Analysis on reaction time found that smokers without pain consistently responded faster to the tasks. No difference in reaction time was found between the pain groups. Conclusions: The current study did not fully replicate findings from studies that were based in Western countries. Formulary availability and regulatory limitations might have affected patient’s perception of prescription opioids in Taiwan. However, chronic pain nonsmokers exhibited initial orientation toward opioid-related cues when daily cigarette consumption was accounted for. According to previous research, this AB for shortly displayed opioid cues can be associated with the expectation of pain relief. The current finding also indicated general psychomotor retardation in individuals who were on long-term use of opioids.