title: The association between dementia and long-term use of benzodiazepine in the elderly: nested case-control study using claims data.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to examine the association between long-term benzodiazepines (BZDs) use and the risk of dementia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Population-based nested case-control study of dementia.
  
  
  METHODS
  All subjects were aged 45 and older and enrolled in the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan, 1997-2004.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cases (N = 779) were patients who were identified with dementia at least two times in their outpatient claims. They were individually matched to six comparison subjects (N = 4,626) based on age and gender.
  
  
  METHODS
  BZD usage (average dosage per year, average days per year, and cumulative dose and periods) and potential confounding comobidities, including cardiovascular and psychiatric diseases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Subjects with dementia had higher cumulative dose, longer duration of BZDs exposure, and more likelihood to be long-term BZDs users.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that long-term use of BZDs is associated with an increased risk for dementia, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear, and further investigations are needed. Long-term use of BZDs should be avoided among the elderly, who may be at a higher risk for developing dementia, in addition to other health problems.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Taiwan.
authors: Chi-Shin
authors: CS
authors: Wu
authors: Sheng-Chang
authors: SC
authors: Wang
authors: I-Shou
authors: IS
authors: Chang
authors: Keh-Ming
authors: KM
authors: Lin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D013624:Taiwan
chemical_list: D001569:Benzodiazepines