Long-term benzodiazepine users in family practice: differences from short-term users in mental health, coping behaviour and psychological characteristics.
BACKGROUND
Contrary to short-term use, long-term benzodiazepine use is undesirable. Nevertheless, its prevalence is high. To prevent long-term use, it is important to know which short-term users are at risk of becoming long-term users.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the present study was to identify patient-related factors of long-term versus short-term use of benzodiazepines.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was carried out in family practices among users of benzodiazepines with regard to DSM-IV diagnosis, coping and psychosocial characteristics,. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, long-term use of benzodiazepines was the dependent variable.


RESULTS
A total of 164 short-term and 158 long-term benzodiazepine users participated in the study. Having a DSM-IV disorder and psychiatric co-morbidity, being older, less educated, lonely and using more avoidance coping behaviour was associated with long-term use of benzodiazepines compared with short-term use.


CONCLUSIONS
The associations found point to possibilities to reduce long-term benzodiazepine use, for example if patients with these characteristics are treated with the alternatives to benzodiazepines or are monitored closely for a short period after being prescribing benzodiazepines.
Zandstra
S M
SM
Department of Family Practice and Department of Social Medicine, University Medical Centre St Radboud, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. s.zandstra@hag.umcn.nl
Van Rijswijk
E
E
Rijnders
C A Th
CA
Van De Lisdonk
E H
EH
Bor
J H J
JH
Van Weel
C
C
Zitman
F G
FG
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D013997:Time Factors
D001569:Benzodiazepines