title: Long-term use of benzodiazepines in a Swedish community: an eight-year follow-up.
abstract: Use of benzodiazepines in a Swedish community with a general population of about 20,000 was studied using data from a research registry on prescriptions. A cohort of all benzodiazepine users in 1976, aged 15-84 years, was identified and followed for 8 years with respect to continued benzodiazepine use. A strong tendency towards continuous use was observed. Nearly 70% of the cohort continued use of benzodiazepines during the first follow-up year, 56% used benzodiazepines during the second year as well. One third continued using benzodiazepines during all 8 years of follow-up. Heavy use, previous use of benzodiazepines and age were of great importance for predicting long-term use while sex and type of benzodiazepine were of minor importance. However, after 3 or 4 years of use the pattern was very much the same in all subgroups, about 90% of users continued irrespective of user characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Pharmacy, University of Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Isacson
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Carsjö
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Bergman
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Blackburn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001569:Benzodiazepines