Predictors of the incidence and discontinuation of long-term use of benzodiazepines: A population-based study

Socio-demographic factors and long-term use of benzodiazepines in patients with depression, anxiety or insomnia

“…Benzodiazepines represent some of the most frequently prescribed tranquilizers in the world (Fang et al, 2009;Fassaert et al, 2007;Moerman and Haafkens, 1993;Quigley et al, 2006;Zandstra et al, 2002). If properly used, benzodiazepines possess sedative, hypnotic, and antianxiety properties and have therefore an obvious role in the therapeutic arsenal (Fang et al, 2009;Fassaert et al, 2007;Rogers et al, 2007) when initiating medical and/or psychotherapeutic treatment of depression, anxiety and insomnia disorders.…”

“…If properly used, benzodiazepines possess sedative, hypnotic, and antianxiety properties and have therefore an obvious role in the therapeutic arsenal (Fang et al, 2009;Fassaert et al, 2007;Rogers et al, 2007) when initiating medical and/or psychotherapeutic treatment of depression, anxiety and insomnia disorders. Long-term use of benzodiazepines, however, is associated with complications such as withdrawal symptoms, therapeutic dose dependence, relapse anxiety, falls and fractures and impairment in long-term cognitive functioning (which can remain for several months after benzodiazepines have been withdrawn) (Anthierens et al, 2007;Cunningham et al, 2010;Fang et al, 2009;Fassaert et al, 2007;Rogers et al, 2007;Zandstra et al, 2002). …”

“…Former studies have been able to establish that individual socio-demographic factors are associated with psychiatric disorders, such as depression, anxiety and insomnia (Andersen and Frydenberg, 2011;Bayard-Burfield et al, 2001;Demyttenaere et al, 2008;Fang et al, 2009;Hjern, 2001;Quigley et al, 2006;Sonnenberg et al, 2012). Former studies have also attempted to characterize individual socio-demographic factors associated with the occurrence of long-term use of benzodiazepines.…”

“…Former studies have also attempted to characterize individual socio-demographic factors associated with the occurrence of long-term use of benzodiazepines. Some of the most consistent predictors of long-term use of benzodiazepines are older age (Andersen and Frydenberg, 2011;Cunningham et al, 2010;Demyttenaere et al, 2008;Fang et al, 2009) and low socio-economic status (Andersen and Frydenberg, 2011;Demyttenaere et al, 2008;Sonnenberg et al, 2012;Zandstra et al, 2004).…”

“…A slight female-associated long-term use has also been observed (Andersen and Frydenberg, 2011;Fang et al, 2009). Being married and having social support have been shown to be associated with decreased benzodiazepine use in general (Andersen and Frydenberg, 2011) Socio-demographic factors and benzodiazepines 5 but the association between these factors and long-term use of benzodiazepines is unknown.…”