A benzodiazepine discontinuation programme does not increase the frequency of contacts with the family practice.
OBJECTIVE
The efficacy of programmes to reduce long-term benzodiazepine use could be compromised by subsequent increases in contacts with the family practice. In this study the hypothesis was tested as to whether participation in a benzodiazepine discontinuation programme affects the frequency of contacts with the family practice.


METHODS
A controlled stepped-care intervention programme to decrease long-term benzodiazepine use.


METHODS
Family practices in the Netherlands. Subjects. The experimental group consisted of 996 long-term benzodiazepine users and a control group of 883 long-term benzodiazepine users.


METHODS
Practice contacts before and up to 12 months after the start of the programme.


RESULTS
There was a general tendency visible for contacts to decrease during the follow-up time. The course of the number of contacts during the follow-up was not different for the experimental and control groups (p=0.45). The level of non-benzodiazepine prescriptions was generally not altered. The number of non-benzodiazepine prescriptions decreased in benzodiazepine quitters during the follow-up of the programme.


CONCLUSIONS
No clinically important differences in practice contacts were observed when the course of the number of contacts and non-benzodiazepine prescriptions were compared between the experimental and control groups. Family practitioners do not have to anticipate an increased workload associated with participation in such a benzodiazepine discontinuation programme.
Gorgels
Wim
W
Department of Primary Care, Centre of Evidence Based Medicine (EBP), Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, the Netherlands. W.Gorgels@hag.umcn.nl
Oude Voshaar
Richard
R
Mol
Audrey
A
Van De Lisdonk
Eloy
E
Mulder
Jan
J
Van Den Hoogen
Henk
H
Van Balkom
Anton
A
Breteler
Marinus
M
Zitman
Frans
F
D000328:Adult; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control; D013997:Time Factors; D016526:Workload
D001569:Benzodiazepines