Opioid Use and Mortality Risk in Older Patients with Dementia: Christina Jensen-Dahm, MD, PhD

“We've done some previous studies where we could see that opioid use was more frequent among elderly with dementia, more so than in those without dementia. We could also see that opioid use has been increasing. Generally, opiates are associated with severe side effects, and have been associated with increased mortality risk in the general population. But we didn't don't know if that was the case in elderly patients with dementia.”

REFERENCES
1. Jensen-Dahm C, Janbek J, Gasse C, Laursen TM, Waldemar G. Excessive mortality risk associated with new opioid use in older people with dementia. Presented at: 2022 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference; July 16 to July 20; Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Abstract 77103.
2. New Use of Opioids Increases Risk of Death Elevenfold in Older Adults with Dementia. News Release. Alzheimer’s Association. Published July 18, 2023. Accessed July 18, 2023. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-use-of-opioids-increases-risk-of-death-elevenfold-in-older-adults-with-dementia-301879360.html#:~:text=AMSTERDAM%2C%20July%2018%2C%202023%20%2F,(AAIC%C2%AE)%202023%2C%20in