[Anxiety level and addiction to first-time prescriptions of anxiolytics: a psychometric study].
BACKGROUND
The anxiety epidemic and its corollary, the widespread prescription of anxiolytics, present a public health problem in view of the risk of addiction to these drugs.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the level of anxiety and addiction in the borderline population at risk of addiction.


METHODS
The study analyzed a series of patients in the third month of their first prescription for anxiolytics. It used two validated scales: the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD), and a French scale measuring addiction (the "Echelle Cognitive d'Attachement aux Benzodiazepines" or ECAB).


RESULTS
83% of patients were still anxious at the third month of treatment. 23% had become addicted.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a contradiction between the prolonged prescription and use of anxiolytics, which are associated with a risk of addiction, and professional guidelines that recommend short treatment for outpatients using these drugs for the first time.
Barthelmé
Benoit
B
Service Médical de l'Assurance-Maladie, Caisse Primaire d'Assurance-Maladie de Mulhouse, Direction Régionale du Service Médical d'Alsace-Moselle, Schiltigheim, France. benoit.barthelme@elsm-mulhouse.cnamts.fr
Poirot
Yves
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000525:Alprazolam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000188:drug therapy; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001960:Bromazepam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003863:Depression / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005602:France; D005790:General Adaptation Syndrome / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy; D011594:Psychometrics; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D001960:Bromazepam; D000525:Alprazolam