Yu-Ting Chen1, Chia-Yih Liu2, Chia-Ming Chang3, Yu-Ming Lai4, Bi-Hwa Wang5, Tsui-Yun Yang6, Shih-Chieh Hsu7. 1. School of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Address:No.259, Wenhua 1st Rd., Guishan Dist., Taoyuan City 33302, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan. Electronic address: annie@mail.cgu.edu.tw. 2. Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Address: No.5, Fuxing St., Guishan Dist., Taoyuan City 333, Taiwan; School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan. Electronic address: liucy752@cgmh.org.tw. 3. Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Address: No.5, Fuxing St., Guishan Dist., Taoyuan City 333, Taiwan. Electronic address: cmchang58@yahoo.com.tw. 4. School of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Address:No.259, Wenhua 1st Rd., Guishan Dist., Taoyuan City 33302, Taiwan. Electronic address: yulai@mail.cgu.edu.tw. 5. School of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Address:No.259, Wenhua 1st Rd., Guishan Dist., Taoyuan City 33302, Taiwan. Electronic address: bihwa@mail.cgu.edu.tw. 6. School of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Address:No.259, Wenhua 1st Rd., Guishan Dist., Taoyuan City 33302, Taiwan; Department of Hematology and Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan. Electronic address: tyyang@mail.cgu.edu.tw. 7. Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Address: No.5, Fuxing St., Guishan Dist., Taoyuan City 333, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan (l)Department of Psychiatry, New Taipei Municipal TuCheng Hospital, New Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, New Taipei Municipal TuCheng Hospital, New Taipei, Taiwan. Electronic address: hsu3160@cgmh.org.tw.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Benzodiazepines (BZDs) have been widely used to treat anxiety; however, the risk of adverse health effects caused by their long-term use is high. This study examined the factors associated with the duration and higher daily dose of BZDs use among a population with anxiety or depressive disorders. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was used. Patients from a psychiatric outpatient department who had been prescribed BZDs were recruited. Data were collected from 250 patients. RESULTS: Nearly 94% of patients were long-term BZDs users. The mean duration of BZDs use was 5.5 years; and mean defined daily dose (DDD) of BZDs use, converted to diazepam milligram equivalent (DDD), was 1.53 DME-DDD. Patients who knew more about alternative treatments were less prone to use BZD longer. Patients aged 65 years or older and those with difficulty falling asleep were more prone to use BZDs longer. Patients who were currently taking BZDs at higher daily dose were those who felt more depressed, prescribed second generation antipsychotics, suffered from disrupted sleep, less aware of alternative treatments, had comorbid chronic physical illness, and were current smokers. LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional study design limited its ability to confirm causal relationships. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term and excessive daily dose of BZDs use in patients with depressive or anxiety disorders needs to be noted. Providing information or program of non-pharmacological treatment in reducing anxiety and improving specific sleep disturbance is suggested. Elderly, suffering from depressive mood, had comorbid chronic physical illness need to be targeted for further intervention.
BACKGROUND:Benzodiazepines (BZDs) have been widely used to treat anxiety; however, the risk of adverse health effects caused by their long-term use is high. This study examined the factors associated with the duration and higher daily dose of BZDs use among a population with anxiety or depressive disorders. METHODS: A cross-sectional study design was used. Patients from a psychiatricoutpatient department who had been prescribed BZDs were recruited. Data were collected from 250 patients. RESULTS: Nearly 94% of patients were long-term BZDs users. The mean duration of BZDs use was 5.5 years; and mean defined daily dose (DDD) of BZDs use, converted to diazepam milligram equivalent (DDD), was 1.53 DME-DDD. Patients who knew more about alternative treatments were less prone to use BZD longer. Patients aged 65 years or older and those with difficulty falling asleep were more prone to use BZDs longer. Patients who were currently taking BZDs at higher daily dose were those who felt more depressed, prescribed second generation antipsychotics, suffered from disrupted sleep, less aware of alternative treatments, had comorbid chronic physical illness, and were current smokers. LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional study design limited its ability to confirm causal relationships. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term and excessive daily dose of BZDs use in patients with depressive or anxiety disorders needs to be noted. Providing information or program of non-pharmacological treatment in reducing anxiety and improving specific sleep disturbance is suggested. Elderly, suffering from depressive mood, had comorbid chronic physical illness need to be targeted for further intervention.
Authors: Antonio Wlisses da Silva; Maria Kueirislene A Ferreira; Emanuela L Rebouças; Francisco Rogenio S Mendes; Atilano Lucas Dos S Moura; Jane Eire S A de Menezes; Márcia Machado Marinho; Emmanuel Silva Marinho; Hélcio S Santos; Alexandre M R Teixeira Journal: Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol Date: 2021-07-12 Impact factor: 3.000