[Trends in benzodiazepine use in primary care patients].
BACKGROUND
Benzodiazepine use is associated to a risk of abuse of dependency. In Chile benzodiazepine abuse is a public health issue. In an attempt to overcome this problem, several restrictions in their prescription were implemented by the health authority. Despite these measures, inadequate use of benzodiazepines in primary care continues to be frequent.


OBJECTIVE
To study the frequency of benzodiazepine use among primary care patients.


METHODS
Cross sectional survey done during two days, with seven physicians working in public primary care clinics. They applied a structured questionnaire about psychotropic medication use.


RESULTS
One hundred eighty eight subjects aged 46.8 +/- 17.5 years, 66% women, were interviewed. Thirty two percent were consuming a psychotropic drug and 82% of these corresponded to benzodiazepines. General practitioners and psychiatrists prescribed the drug to 75% and 13% of subjects, respectively. A higher frequency of benzodiazepine use was observed in women and in urban areas.


CONCLUSIONS
Benzodiazepine use continues to be highly prevalent in primary care patients, in spite of the nationwide implementation of controlled prescriptions.
Galleguillos
Tamara
T
Departamento de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental Campus Norte, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile. tamaragalleguillos@hotmail.com
Risco
Luis
L
Garay
José Luis
JL
González
Marco
M
Vogel
Melina
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D002677:Chile; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012423:Rural Health; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014504:Urban Health
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D001569:Benzodiazepines