title: [Report of the Health Council on the use of benzodiazepines. The Netherlands Health Council].
abstract: The Netherlands Health Council has issued a report on the appropriate use of benzodiazepines, detailing current knowledge on mode of action, indications for use, adverse effects and the prescribed volume in the Netherlands. About 3% of the adult population are chronic users of benzodiazepines. Chronic use is complicated by the risk of falling; the relative risk of hip fractures in chronic benzodiazepine users in about 1.7. Chronic use should be discouraged. However, most chronic users are fragile elderly people for whom a good night's sleep implies temporary escape from a sorry existence with somatic or psychic symptoms. Such circumstances should be kept in mind when treating individual patients.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000075202:Contraindications; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000592:standards; D017723:Drug Utilization Review; D005260:Female; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000592:standards; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands