Use of hypnotic and tranquillising drugs in general practice. Determinants, satisfaction and motivation to stop: the patients' view.
OBJECTIVE
To know more about the characteristics of long-term users of hypnotic and tranquillising drugs in a primary health care area in The Netherlands.


METHODS
A questionnaire was applied to users of benzodiazepines and the computerised medical records were analysed.


METHODS
Nine general practices affiliated to the Registration Network Family Practices (RNH) of the University of Maastricht (UM).


METHODS
A sample of 506 users, aged > or = 30 years, was divided into four categories: short-term (< 3 months) users (once-only and episodic) and long-term users (episodic and continuous).


RESULTS
In 1992/93, 81% were long-term users and 42% of these took their drug continuously. All groups investigated had a preponderance of women. Health problems more so than social problems led to use of the drug. Long-term use was associated with older age, depressive behaviour in handling problems, a higher score on the medicine addiction index, problems with children or housing, and satisfaction with the effects of the drug.


CONCLUSIONS
Most people taking benzodiazepines are long-term users. Age, depressive behaviour, addiction, satisfaction and problems with children or housing are risk factors for long-term use. Gender is not risk factor.
Vissers
Frans
F
Department of General Practice, University of Maastricht, The Netherlands. fhja.vissers@hag.unimaas.nl
van der Grinten
Remy
R
van der Horst
Frans
F
Kester
Arnold
A
Knottnerus
J André
JA
D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D012307:Risk Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D001569:Benzodiazepines