[Consumption of alcohol and benzodiazepines in the elderly].
In Switzerland, 9.1% of the general population accept regular consumption of BZD. In 65-74 years age group, 2% of cases display a high-risk alcohol consumption. Moderate risk consumption is present in 5% of cases. For the BZD, the cognitive difficulties settle in an insidious way; for alcohol, the daily consumption of fairly high quantities may lead to cognitive deterioration. At early stages, alcohol abusers show preserved neuropsychological performances. Gradually, the deficits will affect the remaining cognitive functions and become irreversible. This review indicates that the chronic consumption of alcohol and BZD in old age is at the origin of major clinical difficulties that need ad hoc training both for psychiatrists and general practitioners.
Ebbing
K
K
Unité de liaison de psychiatrie de I'âge avancé, Service universitaire de psychiatrie, de l'âge avancé, Bâtiment P2, CHUV, 1011 Lausanne. karsten.ebbing@chuv.ch
D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology
D001569:Benzodiazepines