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Schindler NJ, Zepel L, Maciejewski ML, Hastings SN, Clark A, Dublin S, Albertson-Junkans L, Pavon JM. Fall Outcomes in Older Adults Following Benzodiazepine/Z-Drug Discontinuation: A Retrospective Cohort Study in an Academic Health System. Drugs Aging 2024:10.1007/s40266-024-01144-7. [PMID: 39292394 DOI: 10.1007/s40266-024-01144-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Benzodiazepines and z-drugs increase the fall risk in older adults. There is a lack of real-world data examining the association between falls and deprescribing medications. OBJECTIVE In a retrospective cohort study of older adults with chronic benzodiazepine or z-drug use receiving care at an academic health system from January 2017 to December 2020, we explored the association between medication discontinuation and falls. METHODS Chronic use was defined as ≥ 3 medication dispensings and cumulative days' supply ≥ 45 days within 100 days in 2018. Discontinuation was defined as a dispensing gap of ≥ 180 days within 1 year of chronic use eligibility, with a secondary definition requiring a gap of ≥ 90 days. Non-discontinuers (n = 524) were matched 4:1 to discontinuers (n = 131) if they had a fill in the same month as the matched discontinuation index date. The association between discontinuation and a fall during 2.25-year follow-up was assessed using Cox proportional hazards models. The analysis was repeated using a gap of ≥ 90 days (n = 279 discontinuers; 1116 matched non-discontinuers). RESULTS The cumulative incidence of falls-related acute visits was 6.9% for discontinuers and 9.7% for non-discontinuers [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31-1.31]. Using the 90-day-gap definition, the cumulative incidence was 9.3% for discontinuers and 8.5% for non-discontinuers (HR 1.12, 95% CI 0.70-1.77). CONCLUSION Benzodiazepine/z-drug discontinuation was not associated with reduced risk of falls. However, the relationship between discontinuation and falls varies depending on the definitions used. It is essential to examine different discontinuation definitions in larger studies while considering other relevant clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lindsay Zepel
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Matthew L Maciejewski
- Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation, Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA
- Duke-Margolis Center for Health Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Box 3003, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Susan N Hastings
- Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Center of Innovation to Accelerate Discovery and Practice Transformation, Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Geriatrics Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Amy Clark
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sascha Dublin
- Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | | | - Juliessa M Pavon
- Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
- Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
- Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
- Geriatrics Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Durham, NC, USA.
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Brandt J, Bressi J, Lê ML, Neal D, Cadogan C, Witt-Doerring J, Witt-Doerring M, Wright S. Prescribing and deprescribing guidance for benzodiazepine and benzodiazepine receptor agonist use in adults with depression, anxiety, and insomnia: an international scoping review. EClinicalMedicine 2024; 70:102507. [PMID: 38516102 PMCID: PMC10955669 DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Clinical practice guidelines and guidance documents routinely offer prescribing clinicians' recommendations and instruction on the use of psychotropic drugs for mental illness. We sought to characterise parameters relevant to prescribing and deprescribing of benzodiazepine (BZD) and benzodiazepine receptor agonist (BZRA), in clinical practice guidelines and guidance documents internationally, for adult patients with unipolar depression, anxiety disorders and insomnia to understand similarities and discrepancies between evidence-based expert opinion. Methods A Scoping Review was conducted to characterize documents that offered evidence-based and/or consensus pharmacologic guidance on the management of unipolar depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders, post-traumatic stress disorders and insomnia. A systematic search was conducted of PubMed, SCOPUS, PsycINFO and CINAHL from inception to October 13, 2023 and supplemented by a gray literature search. Documents were screened in Covidence for eligibility. Subsequent data-charting on eligible documents collected information on aspects of both prescribing and deprescribing. Findings 113 documents offering guidance on BZD/BZRA use were data-charted. Overall, documents gathered were from Asia (n = 11), Europe (n = 34), North America (n = 37), Oceania (n = 7), and South America (n = 4) with the remainder being "International" (n = 20) and not representative to any particular region or country. By condition the documents reviewed covered unipolar depressive disorders (n = 28), anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (n = 42) and Insomnia (n = 25). Few documents (n = 18) were sufficiently specific and complete to consider as de-prescribing focused documents. Interpretation Documents were in concordance in terms of BZD and BZRA not being used routinely as first-line pharmacologic agents. When used, it is advisable to restrict their duration to "short-term" use with the most commonly recommended duration being less than four weeks. Documents were less consistent in terms of prescriptive recommendations for specific drug, dosing and administration pattern (i.e regular or 'as needed') selection for each condition. Deprescribing documents were unanimously in favor of gradual dose reduction and patient shared decision-making. However, approaches towards dose-tapering differed substantially. Finally, there were inconsistencies and/or insufficiency of detail, among deprescribing documents, in terms of switching to a long-acting BZD, use of adjunctive pharmacotherapies and micro-tapering. Funding The authors received no funding for this work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaden Brandt
- Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best Practices, Portland, OR, USA
- College of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Jolene Bressi
- Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best Practices, Portland, OR, USA
- Wegman's School of Pharmacy, St. John Fisher University, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Mê-Linh Lê
- College of Pharmacy, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
- Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library, University of Manitoba, MB, Canada
| | - Dejanee Neal
- Wegman's School of Pharmacy, St. John Fisher University, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Cathal Cadogan
- Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best Practices, Portland, OR, USA
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Josef Witt-Doerring
- Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best Practices, Portland, OR, USA
- Witt-Doerring Psychiatry, Heber City, UT, USA
| | - Marissa Witt-Doerring
- Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best Practices, Portland, OR, USA
- Witt-Doerring Psychiatry, Heber City, UT, USA
| | - Steven Wright
- Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best Practices, Portland, OR, USA
- Wright Medical Consulting, Ashland, OR, USA
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Lynch T, Ryan C, Huff C, Foster DE, Cadogan C. 'We need more support and doctors that understand the process of tapering …': A content analysis of free-text responses to a questionnaire on discontinuing long-term benzodiazepine receptor agonist use. Health Expect 2024; 27:e13962. [PMID: 39102711 PMCID: PMC10771803 DOI: 10.1111/hex.13962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many individuals worldwide continue to take benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZRAs) long term (≥3 months). The aim of this study was to conduct a content analysis of the views and experiences of discontinuing long-term BZRA use as documented in the free-text responses of respondents to an online questionnaire examining mediators of behaviour change relating to the discontinuation of long-term BZRA use. DESIGN The questionnaire was disseminated via online BZRA support groups to community-based adults with either current or previous experience of long-term BZRA use. The four free-text questions focused on (1) barriers and (2) facilitators to discontinuing BZRA use; (3) additional supports required to discontinue BZRA use; and (4) additional comments regarding BZRA use. Response data were analysed using summative content analysis. RESULTS The most commonly reported barrier to BZRA discontinuation related to the consequences of stopping the medication, including withdrawal symptoms and the possibility of return of the original symptoms. The most common facilitator that respondents reported would help them in discontinuing BZRA use was support, primarily from medical professionals. Many respondents reported having been harmed or negatively affected in some way because of BZRA use. Several respondents expressed regret over ever taking BZRAs and/or reported that, with the benefit of hindsight, they should never have taken BZRAs in the first instance. CONCLUSION The findings highlight the range of barriers faced by those attempting BZRA discontinuation and the importance of additional supports. Holistic and person-centred approaches are needed to support discontinuation of long-term BZRA use that considers an individual's personal circumstances and wider social context. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: 'Experts by experience' with previous experience of long-term BZRA use were involved in developing the questionnaire and writing the manuscript as collaborators. Individuals with lived experience of taking BZRAs completed the questionnaire.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Lynch
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular SciencesRoyal College of SurgeonsDublinIreland
| | - Cristín Ryan
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical SciencesTrinity College DublinDublinIreland
| | - Christy Huff
- Benzodiazepine Information CoalitionMidvaleUtahUSA
| | - D. E. Foster
- Benzodiazepine Action Work GroupColorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse PreventionAuroraColoradoUSA
| | - Cathal Cadogan
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical SciencesTrinity College DublinDublinIreland
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De Simone M, De Feo R, Choucha A, Ciaglia E, Fezeu F. Enhancing Sleep Quality: Assessing the Efficacy of a Fixed Combination of Linden, Hawthorn, Vitamin B1, and Melatonin. Med Sci (Basel) 2023; 12:2. [PMID: 38249078 PMCID: PMC10801487 DOI: 10.3390/medsci12010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Sleep is essential for overall health, yet various sleep disorders disrupt normal sleep patterns, affecting duration, quality, and timing. This pilot study investigate the impact of a food supplement (SPINOFF®) on both sleep quality and mental well-being in 41 participants (mean age: 45.3 years). Initial assessments revealed sleep disturbances (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index-PSQ-mean score: 8.2) and insomnia symptoms (Insomnia Severity Index-ISI- mean score: 12.7). Mental health assessments showed psychological distress (Dass-21 Depression mean score: 4.2, Anxiety mean score: 6.9, Stress mean score: 11.6, Total mean score: 22.7). This study assessed sleep continuity using Awakenings per Night (ApN) via a smartwatch (HELO HEALTH®) and conducted the study in two phases: baseline (T0) and after 30 days of treatment (T1) (Phase A). No placebo-control was used in this study. After 30 days (Phase B), 21 patients were selected for reassessment. Eleven continued treatment for another 30 days (T2), while ten discontinued. Following the intervention, we observed remarkable improvements in sleep quality and mental distress. The SPINOFF® supplement significantly reduced the PSQI scores (22.4%), indicating enhanced sleep quality. Additionally, there was a 19.6% decrease in ISI scores, demonstrating a reduction in insomnia symptoms. Moreover, overall psychological distress decreased by 19.5% signifying improved psychological well-being. In the second phase, participants who continued treatment experienced more substantial improvements, with a mean decrease of 0.8 points in PSQI scores (±0.9) and a mean decrease of 0.9 points in ISI scores. Our findings suggest that the SPINOFF® supplement has the potential to effectively address both sleep disturbances and psychological distress in our study population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo De Simone
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Via Salvatore Allende, 84081 Baronissi, Italy; (R.D.F.); (E.C.)
| | - Rosario De Feo
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Via Salvatore Allende, 84081 Baronissi, Italy; (R.D.F.); (E.C.)
| | - Anis Choucha
- Department of Neurosurgery, Aix Marseille University, APHM, UH Timone, 13005 Marseille, France;
| | - Elena Ciaglia
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Via Salvatore Allende, 84081 Baronissi, Italy; (R.D.F.); (E.C.)
| | - Francis Fezeu
- Department of Neurology & Neurological Surgery, Brain Global, 27659 Arabian Drive, Salisbury, MD 21801, USA;
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