title: Sedative-Hypnotic Use Among Older Adults Participating in Anxiety Research.
abstract: Older adults are prescribed sedative-hypnotic medications at higher rates than younger adults. These are not recommended for older adults due to risk of sedation, cognitive impairment, and falls. Severe generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a possibly appropriate use of these medications in older people, but little is available on use of sedative-hypnotic medications among older adults with GAD. This study examined the frequency and predictors of sedative-hypnotic medication use among older adults screening positive for anxiety. 25.88% ( n = 125) of participants reported taking sedative-hypnotics over the past 3 months; 16.36% ( n = 79) reported taking benzodiazepines, and 12.22% ( n = 59) reported taking hypnotic sleep medications. Depressive symptoms were more strongly associated with sedative-hypnotic use than insomnia or worry. Major depressive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder, but not GAD, predicted sedative-hypnotic use. Other medications and treatments are more appropriate and efficacious for depression, anxiety, and insomnia in this population.
authors.affiliation: 1 HSR&D Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA.|2 Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Conti
authors.affiliation: 1 HSR&D Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA.|2 Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.|3 VA South Central Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Melinda A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Stanley
authors.affiliation: 1 HSR&D Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA.|2 Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Amber B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Amspoker
authors.affiliation: 1 HSR&D Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness, and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA.|2 Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.|3 VA South Central Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Kunik
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives
keywords: benzodiazepine; generalized anxiety disorder; insomnia; major depressive disorder; medication use; older adults