[Appropriate use of benzodiazepines zolpidem and zopiclone in diseases attended in primary care].
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the proportion of benzodiazepine prescriptions that comply with the guidelines for appropriate prescription. To identify the variables associated with appropriate prescription.


METHODS
Observational, cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Monóvar Health Centre in Area IV, Madrid, Spain.


METHODS
Random sample of 270 active benzodiazepine prescriptions in adult patients from the prescriptions record of the OMI-AP V. 5.0 computer system.


METHODS
The chosen dimensions for appropriate prescription were: a) correct diagnostic indication; b) absence of benzodiazepines with long half-life in the elderly; c) existence of support or monitoring visits; d) overall appropriateness or coexistence of correct diagnostic indications and monitoring visits. Independent variables were recorded in relation to patient, person prescribing and prescription.


RESULTS
Diagnostic indication, 75.6%; absence of benzodiazepines with long half-life in the elderly, 79.8%; existence of support visits, 63.3%; overall appropriateness, 53%. Main diagnoses: pure anxiety, 29%; anxiety related to other illness, 18.6%; insomnia, 14.8%; cardiovascular illness, 14.8%; alcohol and drug abuse, 4.5%; osteo-muscular illness, 4.4%; schizophrenia, 4.4%. Most prescribed substances: lorazepam, 27.8%; bromazepam, 23.7%. Average life of prescriptions: 18.58 months. Origins: health centre, 68.5%; out-patient psychiatry, 10%; hospital, 10%. The variable that is most closely associated with overall appropriateness, fitted with the rest of the variables, is out-patient psychiatry prescription (OR, 6.67; 95% CI, 1.92-23.18).


CONCLUSIONS
The mean duration of the prescriptions infringes all standards. The overall appropriateness or correct coexistence of adequate diagnostic indication with follow-up visits is associated with out-patient Psychiatry prescription.
Granados Menéndez
M Isabel
MI
Medicina de Familia, Centro de Salud Monóvar, Area IV, Madrid, España.
Salinero Fort
Miguel Angel
MA
Palomo Ancillo
Marta
M
Aliaga Gutiérrez
Laura
L
García Escalonilla
Carmen
C
Ortega Orcos
Rebeca
R
D000368:Aged; D053961:Azabicyclo Compounds; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011725:Pyridines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077334:Zolpidem
D053961:Azabicyclo Compounds; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010879:Piperazines; D011725:Pyridines; C515050:zopiclone; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000077334:Zolpidem