Predictors of relapse after discontinuation of long-term benzodiazepine use by minimal intervention: a 2-year follow-up study.
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.
Voshaar
Richard Oude
RO
Department of Psychiatry (hp 333), University Medical Centre St Radboud, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands. r.oudevoshaar@psy.umcn.nl
Gorgels
Wim
W
Mol
Audrey
A
van Balkom
Anton
A
Breteler
Marinus
M
van de Lisdonk
Eloy
E
Mulder
Jan
J
Zitman
Frans
F
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
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines