BACKGROUND: According to published guidelines regarding the use of benzodiazepines or z-hypnotics (BZD-Z), the elderly should avoid hypnotic BZD, and use anxiolytic BZD and z-hypnotics only at low doses and for a short time. Our objective is to quantify inappropriate BZD-Z use in the elderly. METHODS: The study population consisted of people aged 70-89 who filled at least two prescriptions in 2008 within one of three subgroups: anxiolytic BZD, hypnotics BZD, or z-hypnotics. Inappropriate use criteria used for this study were (1) any hypnotic BZD, (2) exceeding 300 DDD, or a dosage exceeding 9 DDD/week, or anxiolytic BZD and z-hypnotics use exceeding 30 weeks. RESULTS: 118,526 persons, or 25% of elderly Norwegians, filled at least two prescriptions for one of these medication subgroups. Inappropriate use was found for 25% of anxiolytic BZD users, 100% of hypnotic BZD users, and 65% of z-hypnotic users. Altogether 57,276 elderly Norwegians, or 12.3% of the elderly source population, used BZD-Z inappropriately as defined in this study. CONCLUSIONS: Clearly, inappropriate use of BZD-Z is widespread. An active response to such noncompliance with existing guidelines could consist of either (1) stricter enforcement of guidelines or (2) revamping guidelines through a fresh look at risks, benefits, and treatment practices. The implications of both options are discussed in some detail.
BACKGROUND: According to published guidelines regarding the use of benzodiazepines or z-hypnotics (BZD-Z), the elderly should avoid hypnotic BZD, and use anxiolytic BZD and z-hypnotics only at low doses and for a short time. Our objective is to quantify inappropriate BZD-Z use in the elderly. METHODS: The study population consisted of people aged 70-89 who filled at least two prescriptions in 2008 within one of three subgroups: anxiolytic BZD, hypnotics BZD, or z-hypnotics. Inappropriate use criteria used for this study were (1) any hypnotic BZD, (2) exceeding 300 DDD, or a dosage exceeding 9 DDD/week, or anxiolytic BZD and z-hypnotics use exceeding 30 weeks. RESULTS: 118,526 persons, or 25% of elderly Norwegians, filled at least two prescriptions for one of these medication subgroups. Inappropriate use was found for 25% of anxiolytic BZD users, 100% of hypnotic BZD users, and 65% of z-hypnotic users. Altogether 57,276 elderly Norwegians, or 12.3% of the elderly source population, used BZD-Z inappropriately as defined in this study. CONCLUSIONS: Clearly, inappropriate use of BZD-Z is widespread. An active response to such noncompliance with existing guidelines could consist of either (1) stricter enforcement of guidelines or (2) revamping guidelines through a fresh look at risks, benefits, and treatment practices. The implications of both options are discussed in some detail.
Authors: Silvia Alessi-Severini; James M Bolton; Murray W Enns; Matthew Dahl; David M Collins; Dan Chateau; Jitender Sareen Journal: CMAJ Open Date: 2014-10-01
Authors: Janne Nurminen; Juha Puustinen; Ritva Lähteenmäki; Tero Vahlberg; Alan Lyles; Markku Partinen; Ismo Räihä; Pertti J Neuvonen; Sirkka-Liisa Kivelä Journal: BMC Geriatr Date: 2014-11-21 Impact factor: 3.921
Authors: Anne Cathrine Sundseth; Svein Gjelstad; Jorund Straand; Elin O Rosvold Journal: Scand J Prim Health Care Date: 2018-04-14 Impact factor: 2.581