ABSTRACT
Hypnotic drugs are among the most commonly prescribed drugs. In the elderly population, the prevalence of hypnotic drug use is relatively high; outcomes from various studies range from 8.5 to 18%.1-3
Administration of hypnotic drugs can improve sleep but is also associated with adverse events such as cognitive impairment, impaired psychomotor performance, and impairment of postural balance. Balance impairment and subsequent falls are especially common in the elderly. About 30% of the communitydwelling elderly (≥65 years old) experience one fall each year, and about 50% of them fall more than once. The prevalence of falls rises to 50% in elderly >85 years old.4,5 In nursing homes, the percentage of falls is even higher and equals 60%.6
