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Chen YT, Liu CY, Chang CM, Lai YM, Wang BH, Yang TY, Hsu SC. Perceptions, clinical characteristics, and other factors associated with prolonged and high daily dose of benzodiazepine use among patients with anxiety or depressive disorders. J Affect Disord 2020; 271:215-223. [PMID: 32479319 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.03.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Benzodiazepines (BZDs) have been widely used to treat anxiety; however, the risk of adverse health effects caused by their long-term use is high. This study examined the factors associated with the duration and higher daily dose of BZDs use among a population with anxiety or depressive disorders. METHODS A cross-sectional study design was used. Patients from a psychiatric outpatient department who had been prescribed BZDs were recruited. Data were collected from 250 patients. RESULTS Nearly 94% of patients were long-term BZDs users. The mean duration of BZDs use was 5.5 years; and mean defined daily dose (DDD) of BZDs use, converted to diazepam milligram equivalent (DDD), was 1.53 DME-DDD. Patients who knew more about alternative treatments were less prone to use BZD longer. Patients aged 65 years or older and those with difficulty falling asleep were more prone to use BZDs longer. Patients who were currently taking BZDs at higher daily dose were those who felt more depressed, prescribed second generation antipsychotics, suffered from disrupted sleep, less aware of alternative treatments, had comorbid chronic physical illness, and were current smokers. LIMITATIONS The cross-sectional study design limited its ability to confirm causal relationships. CONCLUSIONS Long-term and excessive daily dose of BZDs use in patients with depressive or anxiety disorders needs to be noted. Providing information or program of non-pharmacological treatment in reducing anxiety and improving specific sleep disturbance is suggested. Elderly, suffering from depressive mood, had comorbid chronic physical illness need to be targeted for further intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ting Chen
- School of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Address:No.259, Wenhua 1st Rd., Guishan Dist., Taoyuan City 33302, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan.
| | - Chia-Yih Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Address: No.5, Fuxing St., Guishan Dist., Taoyuan City 333, Taiwan; School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Chia-Ming Chang
- Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Tao-Yuan, Address: No.5, Fuxing St., Guishan Dist., Taoyuan City 333, Taiwan.
| | - Yu-Ming Lai
- School of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Address:No.259, Wenhua 1st Rd., Guishan Dist., Taoyuan City 33302, Taiwan.
| | - Bi-Hwa Wang
- School of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Address:No.259, Wenhua 1st Rd., Guishan Dist., Taoyuan City 33302, Taiwan.
| | - Tsui-Yun Yang
- School of Nursing, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Address:No.259, Wenhua 1st Rd., Guishan Dist., Taoyuan City 33302, Taiwan; Department of Hematology and Oncology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
| | - Shih-Chieh Hsu
- Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, Taoyuan, Address: No.5, Fuxing St., Guishan Dist., Taoyuan City 333, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan (l)Department of Psychiatry, New Taipei Municipal TuCheng Hospital, New Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Psychiatry, New Taipei Municipal TuCheng Hospital, New Taipei, Taiwan.
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