ABSTRACT FROM: Hwang YJ, Dixon SN, Reiss JP, et al. Atypical antipsychotic drugs and the risk for acute kidney injury and other adverse outcomes in older adults: a population-based cohort study. Ann Intern Med 2014;161:242–8.

What is already known on this topic

Antipsychotic use is increasing among older adults, who—as a result of age and frailty—may be particularly susceptible to adverse effects.1 Antipsychotics have already been associated with serious adverse events in older adults including falls, fractures and cardiovascular disease. Among older adults with dementia, they increase the risk of stroke and mortality.2 Other known effects of antipsychotics, such as hypotension, may increase the risk of developing acute kidney injury (AKI) in older adults. AKI is associated with clinically important negative outcomes and has not previously been described as an adverse effect of antipsychotic use in this population.3 Given the high prevalence of antipsychotic use among older adults with dementia and other mental disorders, AKI may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality.

Methods of the study

Hwang and colleagues undertook a large (n=97 777 matched …