A circle of silence: The attitudes of patients older than 65 years of age to ceasing long-term sleeping tablets.
BACKGROUND
Nocturnal benzodiazepines have a significant negative health impact on the elderly, yet they continue to be used.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess elderly patients' use and knowledge of nocturnal benzodiazepines, and their attitudes to cessation.


METHODS
Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with elderly patients (n = 17) from four general practices in Australia.


RESULTS
Our study found that the initiation of benzodiazepine use was often at a time of stress for the patient. Long-term use was not in-tended, and patients conveyed poor awareness of the side effects and addictive potential of benzodiazepines. Patients' perceived attitudes of their general practitioner (GP) to prescribing benzodiazepines and lack of awareness of alternative therapies were key to continuation. Confounding factors such as pain often contributed to sleep disturbance. Many patients expressed a willingness to cease nocturnal benzodiazepine use.


CONCLUSIONS
These data assist in raising GPs' awareness of patients' attitudes to cessation of nocturnal benzodiazepine use. More time spent with patients presenting for repeat prescriptions, explaining side effects, discussing alternative options and investigating reasons for not sleeping could reduce benzodiazepine use among the elderly.
Fiona
F
Williams
Carl
C
Mahfouz
Andrew
A
Bonney
Russell
R
Pearson
Bastian
B
Seidel
Bridget
B
Dijkmans-Hadley
Rowena
R
Ivers
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D063046:Patient Medication Knowledge / Q000592:standards*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012890:Sleep / Q000187:drug effects*
D001569:Benzodiazepines