Sleeping pills more risky in elderly

While sedative drugs may improve sleep in older people with insomnia, the risks of such therapy may outweigh the benefits. Researchers from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, Canada, reviewed 24 trials that included 2417 subjects aged 60 or older who were treated with sedative hypnotic pills or inactive placebo pills, for insomnia. The subjects received the assigned pills for at least five consecutive nights. It was found that compared with placebo, sedative use was associated with statistically significant improvements in sleep quality, total sleep time, and the number of night-time awakenings. However, the actual improvements were modest in scope. Several adverse effects were more common with sedative hypnotics than with placebo. Sedative use greatly increased the odds of thinking difficulties and daytime fatigue. The likelihood of an untoward event was even greater in subjects who were at high risk for falls or mental impairment. Although the improvements in sleep variables obtained from prescription hypnotics were statistically significant, the clinical benefits may be modest at best. The researchers added that behavioural therapy might be a better option for older people with insomnia.