Patterns of Benzodiazepine use in Great Britain as Measured by a General Population Survey

Dunbar, Geoffrey; Perera, Manoj; Jenner, F. A.

doi:10.1192/bjp.155.6.836

Cited by 71 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Benzodiazepines are one of the most widely prescribed groups of drugs, despite a decrease in use suggested in recent surveys of benzodiazepine utilisation in the UK, the USA and Germany [1,2,3,4]. Shortly after their introduction, side effects of benzodiazepines such as dependence and difficulty to discontinue began to arouse concern.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Initial 3-month usage characteristics predict long-term use of benzodiazepines: an 8-year follow-up

Hulten

Teeuw

Bakker

et al. 2003

Eur J Clin Pharmacol

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Objective: The aim of the study was to identify initial usage predictors for prolonged benzodiazepine use. Methods: An 8-year pharmacy data-based study (1983)(1984)(1985)(1986)(1987)(1988)(1989)(1990)(1991)(1992) was carried out on a retrospective cohort of 425 initial benzodiazepine users. The setting was the only pharmacy in a community of 13,500 people. Results: Among the 425 initial users, 36% had a single initial exposure year, 50% had two to seven exposure years, and 14% had benzodiazepine use during all 8 years of follow-up. Prolonged use over more years was associated with an initial high number of prescriptions, elderly patients and initial use of hypnotics. Two patterns of irregular prolonged use were investigated: increase in use was associated with a shorter length of the first usage period and switching to another benodiazepine during the first 90 days; relapses of use were associated with a shorter length of first usage period and initial use of an anxiolytic. Gender and initial dosage were not associated with prolonged use at all. Conclusion: During the first 90 days after initiation of benzodiazepine use, a number of determinants of prolonged benzodiazepine use were visible. The prescribers of these drugs and the pharmacists should advise rational use not only at the start but also at the moment of the first repeat prescription in order to prevent needless prolonged use and dependence.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Initial 3-month usage characteristics predict long-term use of benzodiazepines: an 8-year follow-up

Hulten

Teeuw

Bakker

et al. 2003

Eur J Clin Pharmacol

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“…[5][6][7] Studies on the use of sedative and hypnotic drugs have revealed higher than average prevalence rates among divorced, separated, or widowed persons and elderly persons, [8][9][10] and low rates among the best educated.1" It has also been shown that concomitant use of alcohol and sedatives or hypnotics is common.12,13 Thus, there seem to be associations between social factors, alcohol use, and use of sedatives and hypnotics. However, it is not known whether there are any differences in these associations between current and regular users.…”

Section: Introdwcion Medtodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sedatives and hypnotics in Stockholm: social factors and kinds of use.

Blennow¹,

Romelsjö²,

Leifman³

et al. 1994

Am J Public Health

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OBJECTIVES. The aims of the study were (1) to estimate prevalence rates of current, regular, and long-term use of sedatives and hypnotics and the incidence of regular use in an urban population and (2) to study the association between such use of drugs and sociodemographic factors, symptoms of disease, and alcohol consumption. METHODS. Data on drug use in a random sample of 6217 adults in Stockholm County were analyzed with logistic regression. RESULTS. The prevalence rate for current use of sedatives or hypnotics was 12.8% among men and 18.6% among women; the rate for regular use was 3.7% among males and 4.7% among females. The odds ratio for current use increased with age and was higher among unemployed persons and disability pensioners, high consumers of alcohol, persons with an increased level of symptoms, and widows. More than 25% of the persons who had used sedatives or hypnotics during the previous 2 weeks were regular users 6 months later. For persons aged 25 through 64 years, the annual incidence rate was 1.8% among men and 2.7% among women. CONCLUSIONS. The comparatively low incidence and high prevalence of regular use implies that long-term use of sedatives and hypnotics is common.

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“…There are surveys on the exposure to psychoactive medications in the general population in many countries; such studies have been performed in Verona, Bavaria, Vienna, Paris, Montreal, Sao Paulo, Stockholm, the US, the UK and Sweden (Marinier et al, 1985;Wells et al, 1985;Siciliani et al, 1985;Wells et al, 1988a;Bellantuono et al, 1989;Dunbar et al, 1989;Ashton and Golding, 1989;Fichter et al, 1989;Allgulander, 1989;Allgulander et al, 1990;Swartz et al, 1991;Pariente et al, 1992;Pakesch et al, 1993;Mari et al, 1993;Blennow et al, 1994;Olfson and Pincus, 1994;Sitar et al, 1995). These studies convincingly show an association between treatment with psychoactive medications and high scores for somatic and mental ill health.…”

Section: Composite Population Surveysmentioning

confidence: 98%

Anti-anxiety agents: a pharmacoepidemiological review

Allgulander

1999

Hum. Psychopharmacol. Clin. Exp.

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The purpose of this review is to broaden the base for informed policy and to identify research issues to improve the utility of anti-anxiety agents. Data quality is discussed and the prevalence of morbid anxiety and the exposure to treatment with, and abuse of, anti-anxiety agents in dierent populations is presented. Findings concerning undertreatment, quality of life and misdiagnosing are also discussed. Based on the ®ndings of this review, controlled studies of anti-anxiety treatments in anxious patients with cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus or other chronic somatic conditions should be prioritised. These are likely to show substantial and vital bene®ts by not only controlling symptoms and improving coping capacity, but also by improving social functioning and somatic disease management. Investing in improved detection and management of patients with anxious and/or depressive disorders in many forms of care will pay rapid direct and indirect dividends.

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Patterns of Benzodiazepine use in Great Britain as Measured by a General Population Survey

Cited by 71 publications

References 22 publications

Initial 3-month usage characteristics predict long-term use of benzodiazepines: an 8-year follow-up

Initial 3-month usage characteristics predict long-term use of benzodiazepines: an 8-year follow-up

Sedatives and hypnotics in Stockholm: social factors and kinds of use.

Anti-anxiety agents: a pharmacoepidemiological review

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