title: Predictors of relapse after discontinuation of long-term benzodiazepine use by minimal intervention: a 2-year follow-up study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Long-term results of minimal intervention strategies to cut down benzodiazepine use are not available.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the relapse rate over a two-year period and to search for predictors of relapse among patients who quit benzodiazepine use after receiving a discontinuation letter.
  
  
  METHODS
  Baseline assessment and prospective monitoring of the medical records of 109 patients who quit long-term benzodiazepine use after a minimal intervention strategy in general practice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 819 +/- 100 days of follow-up, 53 (49%) patients had remained completely abstinent. Two independent predictors of relapse were identified by Cox regression analysis: use of more than 10 mg diazepam equivalent (RR = 2.4 [1.2 - 4.7]) and poor general health perception (RR = 0.98 [0.97 - 0.99]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short-term success rates after a minimal intervention were maintained well during long-term follow-up. High-dose users have the highest risk of relapse.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry (hp 333), University Medical Centre St Radboud, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands. r.oudevoshaar@psy.umcn.nl
authors.forename: Richard Oude
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Voshaar
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gorgels
authors.forename: Audrey
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mol
authors.forename: Anton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van Balkom
authors.forename: Marinus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Breteler
authors.forename: Eloy
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: van de Lisdonk
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mulder
authors.forename: Frans
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zitman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D011320:Primary Health Care; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D028761:Withholding Treatment
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines