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Currie J, Kurdyak P, Zhang J. Socioeconomic status and access to mental health care: The case of psychiatric medications for children in Ontario Canada. JOURNAL OF HEALTH ECONOMICS 2024; 93:102841. [PMID: 38113755 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2023.102841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
We examine differences in the prescribing of psychiatric medications to lower-income and higher-income children in the Canadian province of Ontario using rich administrative data that includes diagnosis codes and physician identifiers. Our most striking finding is that conditional on diagnosis and medical history, low-income children are more likely to be prescribed antipsychotics and benzodiazepines than higher-income children who see the same doctors. These are drugs with potentially dangerous side effects that ideally should be prescribed to children only under narrowly proscribed circumstances. Lower-income children are also less likely to be prescribed SSRIs, the first-line treatment for depression and anxiety conditional on diagnosis. Hence, socioeconomic differences in the prescribing of psychotropic medications to children persist even in the context of universal public health insurance and universal drug coverage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Currie
- Princeton University and Center for Health and Wellbeing, United States of America.
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2
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Toce MS, Michelson KA, Hudgins JD, Olson KL, Monuteaux MC, Bourgeois FT. Association of prescription drug monitoring programs with benzodiazepine prescription dispensation and overdose in adolescents and young adults. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2023; 61:234-240. [PMID: 36919488 DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2023.2181092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Prescription drug monitoring programs are state-run databases designed to support safe prescribing of controlled substances and reduce prescription drug misuse. We analyzed healthcare claims data to determine the association between prescription drug monitoring programs with mandated provider review and adolescent and young adult benzodiazepine prescription dispensing and overdose. METHODS We performed a state-level retrospective cohort study to evaluate the association between implementation of prescription drug monitoring programs with mandated provider review and benzodiazepine prescription dispensing and benzodiazepine-related overdoses among adolescents (13-18 years) and young adults (19-25 years) between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2019. Data were obtained from a United States commercial health insurance company. RESULTS There were 74,539 (1.8%) adolescents and 246,760 (4.0%) young adults with at least one benzodiazepine prescription dispensed. Benzodiazepine overdoses occurred among 1,569 (0.04%) and 3,202 (0.05%) adolescents and young adults, respectively. Implementation of a prescription drug monitoring program with mandated provider review was associated with a 6.8% (95% CI, 1.6-11.8) yearly reduction in benzodiazepine prescription dispensing among adolescents and a 12.5% (95% CI, 9.3-15.5) yearly reduction among young adults. There was no decrease in benzodiazepine overdoses in either age group (-15.4% [95% CI, -21.5 to 3.0] and -8.0% [95% CI, -18.0 to 3.2] yearly change in adolescents and young adults, respectively). DISCUSSION Consistent with prior work, our study did not find an association between prescription drug monitoring program implementation and reduction in benzodiazepine-related overdoses among adolescents and young adults. However, the substantial reduction in benzodiazepine prescription dispensing is encouraging. CONCLUSION Prescription drug monitoring programs were associated with decreases in benzodiazepine prescription dispensing, but not benzodiazepine-related overdoses in this cohort of adolescents and young adults. These findings serve to inform development of further policies to address rising rates of benzodiazepine misuse and overdose in this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Toce
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical Toxicology Program, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kenneth A Michelson
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joel D Hudgins
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Karen L Olson
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Computational Health Informatics Program (CHIP), Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Florence T Bourgeois
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Pediatric Therapeutics and Regulatory Science Initiative, Computational Health Informatics Program (CHIP), Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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Winer JM, Yule AM, Hadland SE, Bagley SM. Addressing adolescent substance use with a public health prevention framework: the case for harm reduction. Ann Med 2022; 54:2123-2136. [PMID: 35900132 PMCID: PMC9341337 DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2022.2104922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Adolescence is a developmental stage defined in part by risk-taking. Risk-taking is critical to normal development and has important benefits including trying new activities and exploring new relationships. Risk-taking is also associated with the initiation of substance use. Because substance use often begins in adolescence, much focus has been on primary prevention with the goal of preventing initial substance use. Secondary or tertiary prevention approaches, such as counselling to eliminate substance use or offering treatment, are common approaches for adolescents with problematic substance use or a substance use disorder. While this is important, for some adolescents, treatment or cessation of use may not be desired. In these cases, Healthcare Practitioners (HCPs) can offer clear advice that incorporates harm reduction. Harm reduction, which is often applied for adults who use substances, reduces the negative impacts associated with drug use without requiring abstinence. Harm reduction is crucial to keeping adolescents safe and healthy and can offer opportunities for future engagement in treatment. The objective of this review is to describe strategies for integrating harm reduction principles in clinical settings that are developmentally appropriate. A patient-centered, harm reduction approach can validate perceived benefits of substance use, offer strategies to minimise harm, and advise reduction of use and abstinence.KEY MESSAGES:Substance use often begins in adolescence and traditional approaches are often rooted in prevention framework.Harm reduction should be incorporated for adolescents with problematic substance use or a substance use disorder.This review offers strategies for integration of harm reduction principles tailored towards adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Michael Winer
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Grayken Center for Addiction, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Amy M. Yule
- Grayken Center for Addiction, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Scott E. Hadland
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, MassGeneral Hospital for Children, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sarah M. Bagley
- Section of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Grayken Center for Addiction, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Division of General Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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Bushnell GA, Gerhard T, Keyes K, Hasin D, Cerdá M, Olfson M. Association of Benzodiazepine Treatment for Sleep Disorders With Drug Overdose Risk Among Young People. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2243215. [PMID: 36413369 PMCID: PMC9682430 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.43215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Benzodiazepines are prescribed for the treatment of adolescent sleep disorders; however, benzodiazepine overdoses occur, often in combination with opioids. OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether benzodiazepine treatment for sleep disorders, compared with alternative pharmacologic treatments (trazodone, hydroxyzine, zolpidem, zaleplon, and eszopiclone), is associated with increased risk of drug overdose for young people. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cohort study included privately insured people 10 to 29 years of age identified from a US commercial claims database (MarketScan), from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2018. Young people with a sleep disorder diagnosis initiating benzodiazepine (n = 23 084) or comparator pharmacologic treatments (n = 66 706) were included in the study. Statistical analysis was performed from November 1, 2021, to May 16, 2022. EXPOSURES New use of benzodiazepine treatment or comparator pharmacologic treatments (defined as ≥1 year without a prescription for benzodiazepine or comparator medications). MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Incident diagnosed drug overdoses were identified from inpatient and emergency department records within 6 months of treatment initiation. The propensity score-adjusted cumulative incidence of overdose and hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated with intention-to-treat (analyzed based on initial treatment) and as-treated analyses (added censoring at treatment discontinuation). Results were stratified by prior prescription opioid fill. RESULTS The cohort included 23 084 young people initiating benzodiazepine treatment (14 444 female participants [62.6%]; mean [SD] age, 23 [4.1] years) and 66 706 initiating a comparator treatment (38 446 female participants [57.6%]; mean [SD] age, 22 [4.4] years). Six months after treatment initiation, 9.7% (95% CI, 9.3%-10.1%) of benzodiazepine users and 12.3% (95% CI, 12.1%-12.6%) of the comparator group were still receiving treatment. The crude incidence of drug overdose at 6 months was 0.9% for benzodiazepine initiators and 0.8% for comparator treatment initiators. In adjusted analyses, an increased risk of drug overdose was associated with benzodiazepines vs comparator treatments (intention-to-treat analysis: HR, 1.25 [95% CI, 1.03-1.51]; as-treated analysis: HR, 1.44 [95% CI, 1.14-1.80]). This association was stronger among young people with a recent prescription opioid fill vs those without a recent prescription opioid fill (as-treated analysis: adjusted HR, 2.01 [95% CI, 1.24-3.25] vs adjusted HR, 1.31 [95% CI, 1.00-1.70]). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The findings of this study suggest that benzodiazepines, compared with alternative pharmacologic treatments for common sleep disorders, were associated with an increased risk of drug overdose among young people during the following 6-month period, especially among those with a recent opioid prescription. Drug overdose is an important safety consideration when treating young people with benzodiazepines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta A. Bushnell
- Center for Pharmacoepidemiology and Treatment Sciences, Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, New Brunswick, New Jersey
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers University School of Public Health, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Tobias Gerhard
- Center for Pharmacoepidemiology and Treatment Sciences, Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, New Brunswick, New Jersey
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Administration, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Katherine Keyes
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York
| | - Deborah Hasin
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York
- Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
| | - Magdalena Cerdá
- Center for Opioid Epidemiology and Policy, Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Mark Olfson
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, New York
- Department of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
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Wesemann D. Pharmacological Treatment for Pediatric Anxiety Disorders. J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv 2022; 60:6-9. [DOI: 10.3928/02793695-20220809-04] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Dubovsky SL, Marshall D. Benzodiazepines Remain Important Therapeutic Options in Psychiatric Practice. PSYCHOTHERAPY AND PSYCHOSOMATICS 2022; 91:307-334. [PMID: 35504267 DOI: 10.1159/000524400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Benzodiazepines and medications acting on benzodiazepine receptors that do not have a benzodiazepine structure (z-drugs) have been viewed by some experts and regulatory bodies as having limited benefit and significant risks. Data presented in this article support the use of these medications as treatments of choice for acute situational anxiety, chronic anxiety disorders, insomnia, alcohol withdrawal syndromes, and catatonia. They may also be useful adjuncts in the treatment of anxious depression and mania, and for medically ill patients. Tolerance develops to sedation and possibly psychomotor impairment, but not to the anxiolytic effect of benzodiazepines. Sedation can impair cognitive function in some patients, but assertions that benzodiazepines increase the risk of dementia are not supported by recent data. Contrary to popular opinion, benzodiazepines are not frequently misused or conduits to misuse of other substances in patients without substance use disorders who are prescribed these medications for appropriate indications; most benzodiazepine misuse involves medications that are obtained from other people. Benzodiazepines are usually not lethal in overdose except when ingested with other substances, especially alcohol and opioids. Benzodiazepines comprise one of the few classes of psychotropic medication the mechanisms of action of which are clearly delineated, allowing for greater precision in their clinical use. These medications, therefore, belong in the therapeutic armamentarium of the knowledgeable clinician.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven L Dubovsky
- Department of Psychiatry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA.,Departments of Psychiatry and Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, Colorado, USA
| | - Dori Marshall
- Department of Psychiatry, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
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Lester TR, Bannett Y, Gardner RM, Feldman HM, Huffman LC. Medication Management of Anxiety and Depression by Primary Care Pediatrics Providers: A Retrospective Electronic Health Record Study. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:794722. [PMID: 35372169 PMCID: PMC8970594 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.794722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives To describe medication management of children diagnosed with anxiety and/or depression by primary care providers within a primary care network. Study Design/Methods We performed a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of electronic health record (EHR) structured data from all children seen at least twice in a 4-year observation period within a network of primary care clinics in Northern California. For children who had visit diagnoses of anxiety, depression, anxiety+depression or symptoms characteristic of these conditions, we analyzed the rates and types of medications prescribed. A logistic regression model considered patient variables for the combined sample. Results Of all patients 6-18 years old (N = 59,484), 4.4% (n = 2,635) had a diagnosis of anxiety only, 2.4% (n = 1,433) depression only, and 1.2% (n = 737) both anxiety and depression (anxiety + depression); 18% of children with anxiety and/or depression had comorbid ADHD. A total of 15.0% with anxiety only (n = 357), 20.5% with depression only (n = 285), and 47.4% with anxiety+depression (n=343) were prescribed a psychoactive non-stimulant medication. For anxiety and depression only, the top three medications prescribed were sertraline, fluoxetine, and citalopram. For anxiety + depression, the top three medications prescribed were citalopram, sertraline, and escitalopram. Frequently prescribed medications also included benzodiazepines. Logistic regression modeling showed that the depression only and anxety + depression categories had increased likelihood of medication prescription. Older age and mental health comorbidities were independently associated with increased likelihood of medication prescription. Conclusions In this network, ~8% of children carried a diagnosis of anxiety and/or depression. Medication choices generally aligned with current recommendations with the exception of use of benzodiazepines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talia R. Lester
- Division of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - Yair Bannett
- Division of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - Rebecca M. Gardner
- Quantitative Science Unit, Department of Medicine, Stanford School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - Heidi M. Feldman
- Division of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, United States
| | - Lynne C. Huffman
- Division of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, United States
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Toce MS, Michelson KA, Hudgins JD, Olson KL, Bourgeois FT. Trends in Benzodiazepine Prescribing for US Adolescents and Young Adults From 2008 to 2019. JAMA Pediatr 2022; 176:312-313. [PMID: 34928314 PMCID: PMC8689437 DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.5122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
This cohort study examines whether trends exist in the number of benzodiazepines and opioids prescribed to adolescents and young adults between 2008 and 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S. Toce
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Kenneth A. Michelson
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joel D. Hudgins
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Karen L. Olson
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Menculini G, Pomili G, Brufani F, Minuti A, Mancini N, D'Angelo M, Biscontini S, Mancini E, Savini A, Orsolini L, Volpe U, Tortorella A, Steardo L. COVID-19 and Youth Psychopathological Distress in Umbria, Central Italy: A 2-Year Observational Study in a Real-World Setting. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:869326. [PMID: 35664479 PMCID: PMC9160367 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.869326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Adolescents and young adults represent a vulnerable population in the context of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The present retrospective study aims to investigate the pandemic's psychological impact on adolescents and young adults by analyzing data from an outpatient mental health service dedicated to youths in Umbria, central Italy. MATERIALS AND METHODS The clinical charts of subjects aged 14-24 who first accessed the service in the timeframe between March 1st, 2019, and February 28th, 2021, were reviewed. Subjects were divided into two subgroups according to the period of time when they accessed the service (pre-COVID-19 vs. during- COVID-19 outbreak). Bivariate analyses were performed using the Chi-square test and the Welch's t-test. A secondary analysis was performed considering only subjects suffering from psychiatric disorders. Furthermore, data concerning individuals who were already followed by the service before the pandemic were analyzed by the McNemar's test and the t-paired test to assess changes in treatment features. RESULTS The number of new accesses during the pandemic period remained stable. After the emergency onset, youths accessing the service showed a higher prevalence of anxiety disorders (p = 0.022). During the COVID-19 period, services were more frequently delivered by using a digital mental health approach (p = 0.001). Psychopharmacological treatment was more frequently prescribed among subjects that were referred to the service after the pandemic onset (p = 0.033). As for substance use, a highly significant reduction in opioid use was observed (p = 0.003). Family therapy was delivered less frequently in the during-COVID-19 subgroup, especially in the subpopulation of subjects suffering from psychiatric disorders (p = 0.013). When considering subjects referred to the service in the pre-COVID-19 period, the number of interventions provided to this population increased after the pandemic outbreak (p = 0.038). CONCLUSION In the context of the COVID-19-related public health crisis, youths represent an at-risk population for which pathways to care should be reinforced, and targeted interventions, including psychosocial treatments, should be implemented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Menculini
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Giorgio Pomili
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Francesca Brufani
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Agnese Minuti
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Niccolò Mancini
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Martina D'Angelo
- Psychiatric Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Sonia Biscontini
- Mental Heath Department, Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale (AUSL) Umbria 2, Terni, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Savini
- Comunità "La Tenda" Cooperativa Sociale, Foligno, Italy
| | - Laura Orsolini
- Unit of Clinical Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Neurosciences/DIMSC, School of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Umberto Volpe
- Unit of Clinical Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Neurosciences/DIMSC, School of Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Alfonso Tortorella
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Luca Steardo
- Psychiatric Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
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Michaels NL, Spiller HA, Badeti J, Sheftall AH, Funk AR, Smith GA. Benzodiazepine exposures among women of reproductive age in the US, 2004-2018. Hum Exp Toxicol 2021; 40:1807-1816. [PMID: 33906473 DOI: 10.1177/09603271211013431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Benzodiazepines, often used to treat anxiety, insomnia, and other conditions, are prescribed more frequently to women than men, and emergency department visits and overdose deaths involving benzodiazepines have increased significantly among women in recent years. This study describes characteristics and trends associated with benzodiazepine exposures among women of reproductive age (15-49 years old) that were reported to United States poison control centers from 2004 through 2018. The National Poison Data System recorded 258,370 first-ranked benzodiazepine exposures among women 15-49 years old during the study period. More than one-half (56.9%) of exposures involved a single-substance and one-third (34.0%) occurred among women 20-29 years old. The majority were categorized as "intentional, suspected suicide" (73.2%) or "intentional" (12.9%). Exposures frequently resulted in admission to a psychiatric facility (20.6%), critical care unit (18.1%), or non-critical care unit (9.3%). Twenty percent of cases resulted in a serious medical outcome, including 205 deaths. The substantial percentage of benzodiazepine exposures among women of reproductive age that were intentional and associated with suicide attempts or suicide deaths indicate that increased prevention efforts are needed to address this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- N L Michaels
- Center for Injury Research and Policy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute of 2650Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - H A Spiller
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.,Central Ohio Poison Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - J Badeti
- Center for Injury Research and Policy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute of 2650Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - A H Sheftall
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.,Center for Innovation in Pediatric Practice at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute of 2650Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - A R Funk
- Central Ohio Poison Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - G A Smith
- Center for Injury Research and Policy, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute of 2650Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
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11
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Bushnell GA, Gerhard T, Crystal S, Olfson M. Benzodiazepine Treatment and Fracture Risk in Young Persons With Anxiety Disorders. Pediatrics 2020; 146:peds.2019-3478. [PMID: 32499386 PMCID: PMC7329250 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2019-3478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed to treat anxiety disorders and have been associated with falls and fractures in older adults. It is unknown whether benzodiazepines increase fracture risk in youth. We examined whether youth with anxiety disorders initiating benzodiazepine treatment have an increased risk of fractures compared with youth initiating selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). METHODS We used claims from commercially insured children (6-17 years) and young adults (18-24) with a recent anxiety disorder diagnosis, initiating benzodiazepines or SSRIs (2008-2016). Youth were followed until fracture, treatment discontinuation or switching, disenrollment, 3 months, or December 31, 2016. The primary end point was diagnostic codes for upper and lower limb fractures. Incident fracture rates, incident rate ratios (IRRs), and incident rate differences (IRDs) were estimated with propensity score inverse probability of treatment weighting. RESULTS The cohort included 120 715 children and 179 768 young adults. In children, crude fracture rates during treatment were 33.1 per 1000 person-years (PYs) for benzodiazepine initiators and 25.1 per 1000 PYs for SSRI initiators. Adjusted IRR and IRD were 1.53 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.94-2.50) and 13.4 per 1000 PYs. Risk was heightened in children initiating long-acting benzodiazepines versus SSRIs (adjusted IRR = 2.30 [95% CI: 1.08-4.91]). Fracture rates were lower in young adults, with minimal differences between treatments (adjusted IRR = 0.85 [95% CI: 0.57-1.27]; adjusted IRD = -1.3 per 1000 PYs). CONCLUSIONS An increased rate of fractures in children, but not young adults, with anxiety disorders initiating benzodiazepine treatment compared to SSRI treatment suggests a need for increased caution in the weeks after benzodiazepine initiation in children.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tobias Gerhard
- Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey,Center for Pharmacoepidemiology and Treatment Science, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey,Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, New Jersey
| | - Stephen Crystal
- Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Mark Olfson
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health and,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Columbia University, New York, New York; and
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