title: Long-term benzodiazepine users in family practice: differences from short-term users in mental health, coping behaviour and psychological characteristics.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Practice and Department of Social Medicine, University Medical Centre St Radboud, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. s.zandstra@hag.umcn.nl
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Zandstra
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Van Rijswijk
authors.forename: C A Th
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Rijnders
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Van De Lisdonk
authors.forename: J H J
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Bor
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Van Weel
authors.forename: F G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Zitman
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D001569:Benzodiazepines