Sedatives and hypnotics in Stockholm: social factors and kinds of use.
OBJECTIVE
The aims of the study were (1) to estimate prevalence rates of current, regular, and long-term use of sedatives and hypnotics and the incidence of regular use in an urban population and (2) to study the association between such use of drugs and sociodemographic factors, symptoms of disease, and alcohol consumption.


METHODS
Data on drug use in a random sample of 6217 adults in Stockholm County were analyzed with logistic regression.


RESULTS
The prevalence rate for current use of sedatives or hypnotics was 12.8% among men and 18.6% among women; the rate for regular use was 3.7% among males and 4.7% among females. The odds ratio for current use increased with age and was higher among unemployed persons and disability pensioners, high consumers of alcohol, persons with an increased level of symptoms, and widows. More than 25% of the persons who had used sedatives or hypnotics during the previous 2 weeks were regular users 6 months later. For persons aged 25 through 64 years, the annual incidence rate was 1.8% among men and 2.7% among women.


CONCLUSIONS
The comparatively low incidence and high prevalence of regular use implies that long-term use of sedatives and hypnotics is common.
Blennow
G
G
Department of Social Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Sundbyberg, Sweden.
Romelsjö
A
A
Leifman
H
H
Leifman
A
A
Karlsson
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D013548:Sweden
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives