A recent study reveals that brexpiprazole, approved for treating agitation in Alzheimer’s disease, does not elevate mortality risks compared to another antipsychotic, aripiprazole. This finding offers a safer treatment option for patients grappling with dementia-related behavioral issues.
Study Overview
Researchers utilized Medicare claims data spanning from 2014 to 2023 to investigate the effects of brexpiprazole in individuals diagnosed with dementia. The study specifically focused on new users of brexpiprazole or aripiprazole, ensuring that participants were continuously enrolled for at least two years and included a diverse sample of 41,871 beneficiaries, predominantly women with an average age of approximately 76 to 78 years.
Key Findings
The analysis indicated that within six months of starting brexpiprazole, patients exhibited a statistically significant lower mortality rate compared to those using aripiprazole. However, the rates of emergency department visits and hospitalizations did not differ significantly between the two medications during the same period.
- Brexpiprazole users had a 51% reduction in six-month mortality compared to aripiprazole users.
- No significant difference in emergency department visits between the two treatment groups.
- Hospitalization rates remained similar for both brexpiprazole and aripiprazole users.
- The study employed rigorous matching and logistic regression techniques to ensure accurate comparisons.
- Sample size limitations may affect the generalizability of the results.
The study employed advanced statistical methods, including two-stage least squares estimation, to account for both observed and unobserved confounding factors. This approach strengthened the reliability of the findings, although the relatively small sample size was noted as a limitation.
Brexpiprazole emerges as a viable alternative for managing agitation in dementia without increasing mortality risks, addressing the critical need for safer antipsychotic options in this vulnerable population. Its comparable safety profile to aripiprazole regarding emergency and hospitalization outcomes further supports its use.
Healthcare providers can consider brexpiprazole as a treatment option for Alzheimer’s patients experiencing agitation, benefiting from its lower associated mortality risk. This information is crucial for optimizing patient care and improving quality of life for those living with dementia.
Ongoing research and monitoring are essential to confirm brexpiprazole’s safety and efficacy across diverse patient groups. Continued evaluation will help establish comprehensive guidelines for its use in clinical practice, ensuring that patients receive the most effective and safest treatments available.
Brexpiprazole’s promising safety profile underscores the importance of personalized medicine in treating Alzheimer’s disease, allowing for tailored therapeutic strategies that address individual patient needs while minimizing risks.
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