Aspirin may increase fall risk: study

Aspirin does not reduce the risk of fractures and increases the risk of serious falls in initially healthy, older people, a new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine has revealed.

The study aimed to determine if daily low-dose aspirin (100 mg) reduces the risk of fractures or serious falls in healthy older men and women.

“Falls are frequent for many older people and can have several negative impacts including fractures, soft tissue injuries, loss of confidence and independence. They are a frequent reason an older person attends an Emergency Department and needs to receive care in hospital,” said Associate Professor Anna Barker, Executive Director, Research and Innovation at Monash.

The findings from the sub-study of the ASPREE randomised placebo-controlled trial showed the risk of first fracture was similar in the aspirin and placebo groups, but the risk of serious falls was statistically significantly greater in the aspirin group — total falls were 884 in the aspirin group and 804 in the placebo group.

Findings do not apply to those with a medical reason to take aspirin, such as after a heart attack.

Barker said older adults with a medical reason to take aspirin should continue to do so, but for healthy older people without heart disease or prior stroke, aspirin appears to provide little benefit and may do more harm than good by increasing a person’s risk of having a serious fall. She reiterated the need to seek appropriate medical advice before altering any aspirin regime.

Data on falls and fractures in ASPREE (ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly) clinical trial participants was collected via medical records.

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