Psychiatric disorder and the use of benzodiazepines: an example of the inverse care law from Brazil.
BACKGROUND
A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Pelotas, southern Brazil, to assess the relationship between the use of benzodiazepines (BZD), minor psychiatric disorders (MPD) and social factors.


METHODS
A representative sample (n = 1277) was interviewed using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) for MPD. Subjects were asked about the use of BZD in the preceding 2 weeks and were also asked for socioeconomic details.


RESULTS
A total of 152 (11.9%; 95% CI 10.1-13.7) subjects had taken psychotropic drugs, with BZD being the most commonly reported (8%). The prevalence of MPD was 22.7% (95% CI 20.4-25.0): males 17.9% and females 26.5%. An inverse relationship was seen between level of income, schooling and prevalence of MPD (P < 0.001), but a positive relationship was found between income and BZD consumption (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that the inverse care law operates in prescribing psychotropic medications for MPD.
De Lima
M S
MS
Department of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Brazil.
Hotopf
M
M
Mari
J J
JJ
Béria
J U
JU
De Bastos
A B
AB
Mann
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines