RISKS AND OUTCOMES ASSOCIATED WITH DECLINE IN MOBILITY: ANTIHYPERTENSIVE MEDICATION AND INCIDENT DISABILITY IN OLDER ADULTS—A LONGITUDINAL STUDY

• Published in: Innovation in aging 2017-06, Vol.1 (Suppl 1), p.735-735
• Main Authors: Perlman, A., Shah, R., Bennett, D.A., Buchman, A., Matok, I.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abstracts
• ISSN: 2399-5300
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igx004.2653

There is concern regarding the safety of antihypertensive medication use among older adults. This study aimed to evaluate whether antihypertensive medications are associated with incident disability in older adults, using a longitudinal cohort design. Participants of two ongoing cohort studies of community dwelling older adults were recruited between 1993–2015 (n=3091). Self-reported disability was assessed using three scales: basic activities of daily living (ADL), mobility, and functions required for independent living (IADL). All medications received by participants were inspected and identified. Demographic characteristics and medical history were obtained by detailed interview and medical examinations. Motor and cognitive function were summarized using composite scores of several tests. We used time varying multivariable cox models to assess the association between antihypertensive medications and incident disability. Models included adjustments for differences in demographics, comorbidity, and baseline motor and cognitive function. Analyses excluded participants with dementia or disability at baseline. Our study found that individuals receiving antihypertensive medications had an increased risk for the development of disability in basic activities of daily living, and in mobility, compared with individuals not receiving these medications, after adjusting for differences in age, sex, and education (Hazards Ratios [95% Confidence Interval]: ADL 1.29 [1.12–1.47], IADL 1.06 [0.94–1.21], Mobility 1.24 [1.09–1.41]). Further analyses demonstrated that these associations were independent of baseline cognitive and motor function, and of cardiovascular comorbidity (hypertension, diabetes, stroke, heart disease, etc.). However, increased age modified these associations, such that no association was found between antihypertensive use and disability among participants aged 80 and over at baseline.