The Problem of Benzodiazepine Use and Its Extent in the Driver Population: A Population-Based Registry Study

Abstract

Background: Benzodiazepines are driving-impairing medicines (DIM). This study presents current consumption of dispensed benzodiazepines in the Spanish general population, with a focus in pattern of use and concomitant medicines consumed with.Methods: A population-based registry study was carried out to assess the year-2016 granted benzodiazepines dispensation in Castile and León. Weighting was performed to obtain the adjusted benzodiazepine consumption for licensed drivers according to age and gender using our national drivers' license census data.Results: Benzodiazepines were used by 15.38% of the general population and 10.97% of drivers. Nearly 2% of the population and more than 1% of drivers took these medicines every day. The amount consumed (until 3 or more benzodiazepines per day) and concomitant use of other DIM were also higher. Women were the most frequent consumers, and anxiolytic use was usual. Consumption increases with age, but there were differences between men and women drivers from 60 years old.Conclusions: The current use of benzodiazepines must serve to awareness of the healthcare personnel, patients, and authorities on their risks, above all on the road safety.

Benzodiazepines in the oral fluid of Spanish drivers

“…Notwithstanding, benzodiazepines are frequently used [7,[13][14][15][16]. The prevalence rates of benzodiazepine use in the population vary between 2 and 17% [13]: benzodiazepine use is twice as high in women than in men, is higher in older people and is mainly long-term use [13].…”

Trends in Antidepressants Use in Spain between 2015 and 2018: Analyses from a Population-Based Registry Study with Reference to Driving

“…However, in this case, it can be assumed that the biases produced when using dispensing data is not relevant, as antidepressants are financed medicines and their use require mandatory medical prescription. On the other hand, CONCYLIA does not include driver's license information, so weighting was made on the basis of age and gender with the driver's license census information, as performed in previous studies by our team [24][25][26][27].…”

“…The data on dispensation of antidepressants and other DIMs were accessible from CONCYLIA (http://www.saludcastillayleon.es/portalmedicamento/es/indicadoresinformes/concylia), where the entire information on pharmaceuticals care in Castile and León is routinely collected. The drivers' license census data for the years 2015 to 2018 were also accessible (http://www.dgt.es/es/seguridad-vial/estadisticas-e-indicadores/permisos-conduccion/) to calculate the adjusted use of antidepressants by drivers (Table S2), as previously made [24][25][26][27].…”

“…This study presents the data on antidepressants consumption from 2015 to 2018 in Castile and León, Spain, based on dispensation of such DIMs at pharmacies. The adjusted use of antidepressants by the driver population is also presented in order to assess differences in patterns of use with respect to the general population [24][25][26][27]. In addition, the duration and their concomitant use of antidepressants with other driving impairing medicines were also assessed.…”

Benzodiazepine und Z-Substanzen – Analyse der kassenärztlichen Verschreibungen von 2006 bis 2015

“…So finden sich Studien aus den Niederlanden (7,9 % [4]), Finnland (9,3 % [5]) und der Schweiz (9,1 % [6]) mit vergleichbaren Befunden. In Spanien [7] und Luxemburg [8] liegen die Prävalenzwerte mit 15,4 % bzw. 16,4 % deutlich über dem europäischen Durchschnitt.…”