title: Benzodiazepine prescriptions and falls in older men and women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Despite cautions by professional associations, benzodiazepines (BZD) and Z hypnotics (BZD/Z) are widely prescribed to older adults who are particularly susceptible to insomnia and anxiety, but who are also more sensitive to drugs adverse events. In this study, we assessed the prescription of BZD/Z drugs in a sample of older adults (≥65) who presented for emergency care after a fall.
  
  
  METHODS
  We collected the type, number and dose of BZD/Z drugs prescribed and explored gender differences in the prescription.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BZD/Z drugs were prescribed to 43.6% of the sample (n=654) and more frequently to women; 78.4% of prescriptions were for BZD/Z drugs with a short half-life. The majority of patients (83.5%) were prescribed only one type of BZD/Z, but 16.5% had been prescribed multiple BZD/Z drugs, with no gender difference. Doses higher than those recommended for older adults were prescribed to 58% of patients, being the doses significantly higher for men compared to women (70.0% vs 53.1%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Over 40% of older adults presenting for emergency care after a fall had previously been prescribed BZD/Z drugs. Some important gender differences in the prescription of BZD/Z drugs were seen, especially prescription above the recommended dose and of drugs with a long-half life.
authors.affiliation: CIBERSAM, Departamento de Psiquiatría, Hospital Universitario Araba, BioAraba Research Institute, Vitoria, España; Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED)-Centro Asociado en Vitoria, Vitoria, España. Electronic address: monica.martinezcengotitabengoa@osakidetza.net.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martinez-Cengotitabengoa
authors.affiliation: Farmacia Inés Barrenechea, Getxo, España.
authors.forename: Maria Jose
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Diaz-Gutierrez
authors.affiliation: CIBERSAM, Departamento de Psiquiatría, Hospital Universitario Araba, BioAraba Research Institute, Vitoria, España; Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Universitario Araba, Vitoria, España; Universidad del País Vasco, Vitoria, España.
authors.forename: Ariadna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Besga
authors.affiliation: CIBERSAM, Departamento de Psiquiatría, Hospital Universitario Araba, BioAraba Research Institute, Vitoria, España.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bermúdez-Ampudia
authors.affiliation: CIBERSAM, Departamento de Psiquiatría, Hospital Universitario Araba, BioAraba Research Institute, Vitoria, España.
authors.forename: Purificación
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: López
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Psiquiatría y Salud Mental, Departamento de Medicina, Universidad Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú.
authors.forename: Marta B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Rondon
authors.affiliation: University Health Network, Centre for Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canadá.
authors.forename: Donna E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.affiliation: CIBERSAM, Departamento de Psiquiatría, Hospital Universitario Araba, BioAraba Research Institute, Vitoria, España.
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.affiliation: CIBERSAM, Departamento de Psiquiatría, Hospital Universitario Araba, BioAraba Research Institute, Vitoria, España; Universidad del País Vasco, Vitoria, España.
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gutierrez
authors.affiliation: CIBERSAM, Departamento de Psiquiatría, Hospital Universitario Araba, BioAraba Research Institute, Vitoria, España; Universidad del País Vasco, Vitoria, España.
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gonzalez-Pinto
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D001569:Benzodiazepines
keywords: Accidental falls; Aged; Ancianos; Benzodiacepinas; Benzodiazepines; Caídas accidentales; Gender; Género