title: Socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of benzodiazepine long-term users: Results from a tertiary care center.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The use of benzodiazepines (BDZs) represents a critical issue since a long-term treatment may lead to dependence. This study aimed at evaluating socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of BZD long-term users who followed a detoxification program at a tertiary care center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred-five inpatients were evaluated. Socio-demographic (e.g., gender, age, education) and clinical information (e.g., BZD used, dose, reason of prescription) was collected. BZDs dose was standardized as diazepam dose equivalents and was compared via the Defined Daily Dose (DDD). Chi-square, Fisher test, ANOVA and Bonferroni analyses were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Females were more frequently BDZ long-term users than males. Hypnotic BZDs were frequently prescribed for problems different from sleep disturbances. Lorazepam, alprazolam, and lormetazepam were the most prescribed drugs. Lorazepam was more frequently used by males, consumed for a long period, in pills, and prescribed for anxiety. Lormetazepam was more frequently consumed by females with a high school education, having a psychiatric disorder, taken in drops and prescribed for insomnia. Lormetazepam had the highest DDD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A specific profile of BZD long-term user seems to exist and presents different socio-demographic and clinical characteristics according to the benzodiazepine taken into account.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, via di San Salvi 12, 50135, Florence, Italy. Electronic address: fiammetta.cosci@unifi.it.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cosci
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, via di San Salvi 12, 50135, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mansueto
authors.affiliation: Addiction Unit, Verona University Hospital, piazzale Aristide Stefani 1, 37126, Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Faccini
authors.affiliation: Addiction Unit, Verona University Hospital, piazzale Aristide Stefani 1, 37126, Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Casari
authors.affiliation: Addiction Unit, Verona University Hospital, piazzale Aristide Stefani 1, 37126, Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lugoboni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers
chemical_list: D001569:Benzodiazepines; C023842:lormetazepam; D008140:Lorazepam