title: Use of hypnotic and tranquillising drugs in general practice. Determinants, satisfaction and motivation to stop: the patients' view.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice, University of Maastricht, The Netherlands. fhja.vissers@hag.unimaas.nl
authors.forename: Frans
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vissers
authors.forename: Remy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van der Grinten
authors.forename: Frans
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: van der Horst
authors.forename: Arnold
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kester
authors.forename: J André
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Knottnerus
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D001569:Benzodiazepines