The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences
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J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci. · Mar 1995
Benzodiazepine use as a cause of cognitive impairment in elderly hospital inpatients.
Benzodiazepine drugs are used very frequently by the elderly and have been associated with a number of untoward events in them. In an earlier publication, we showed that there was an association between benzodiazepine use and episodes of confusion in hospital. The purpose of this study was to examine that association in more detail by studying only patients with intact cognitive function on admission and by taking into consideration a range of demographic, drug use, and clinical confounders. ⋯ Elderly hospital inpatients who have intact cognitive function on admission to hospital have a low risk of developing cognitive impairment and delirium during their hospital stay. In this population, however, benzodiazepine use accounted for 29% of cases of cognitive impairment which did occur. The data also suggest that dehydration, urinary retention, and an admission diagnosis of CNS disease may be important risk factors for delirium.