The Association Between Benzodiazepine Use and Depression Outcomes in Older Veterans.
Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are commonly prescribed to older adults with depression, but it is unknown whether they improve antidepressant (AD) adherence or depressive symptoms. We followed 297 older veterans diagnosed with depression and provided a new AD medication prospectively for 4 months. Data include validated self-report measures and VA pharmacy records. At initial assessment, 20.5% of participants were prescribed a BZD. Those with a BZD prescription at baseline were significantly more likely than those without to have a personality disorder, schizophrenia spectrum disorder, or other anxiety disorder, and higher depressive symptom and anxiety symptom scale scores on average. In adjusted regressions, BZD use was not significantly associated with AD adherence, any improvement in depressive symptoms, or a 50% reduction in depressive symptoms. Our results suggest BZD use concurrent with AD treatment does not significantly improve depressive outcomes in older veterans.
Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA leggetta@med.umich.edu.
Amanda
A
Leggett
Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Janet
J
Kavanagh
Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA Department of Veterans Affairs, Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor, MI, USA Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Kara
K
Zivin
Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA Department of Veterans Affairs, Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Claire
C
Chiang
Center for Statistical Consultation & Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Hyungjin M
HM
Kim
Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA Department of Veterans Affairs, Center for Clinical Management Research, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
Helen C
HC
Kales
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010554:Personality Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy; D057566:Self Report; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology*; D016903:Drug Monitoring
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines
adherence; antidepressants; benzodiazepines; depression; veterans