The prevalence of benzodiazepine dependence among community-dwelling older adult users in Quebec according to typical and atypical criteria.
BACKGROUND
Use of benzodiazepines, common among older people, may lead to substance dependence. DSM-IV-TR criteria for this iatrogenic problem may apply poorly to older persons following a physician-prescribed regimen. This study, first of its kind, aimed to determine the prevalence rate of benzodiazepine dependence in older persons according to DSM-IV-TR and other atypical criteria.


METHODS
Descriptive study based on face-to-face interviews conducted in the homes of 2,785 persons aged 65 years or older who were randomly selected from across the province of Quebec, Canada.


RESULTS
Use of benzodiazepines was reported by 25.4% of respondents. Among them, 9.5% met DSM-IV-TR criteria for substance dependence. However, 43% of users reported being dependent, and one third agreed that it would be a good thing to stop taking benzodiazepines.


CONCLUSIONS
Benzodiazepine substance dependence is established at one tenth of community-dwelling older persons taking these medications, although a much larger proportion self-labels as dependent.
Voyer
Philippe
P
Faculty of Nursing, Laval University, Laval, Quebec.
Préville
Michel
M
Cohen
David
D
Berbiche
Djamal
D
Béland
Sarah-Gabrielle
SG
D000368:Aged; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*
D001569:Benzodiazepines