Benzodiazepines increase the risk of pneumonia and death in elderly patients.
January 1
Benzodiazepines are ASSOCIATED with pneumonia and death...but there’s no proof that they CAUSE these outcomes.
Up to 10% of elderly patients take a benzodiazepine...and that number could increase now that benzos are covered by Medicare Part D.
One theory is that benzos affect the immune system and increase the risk of infection...another is that they increase the risk of aspiration and pneumonia.
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