Freire MDBO, Da Silva BGC, Bertoldi AD, Fontanella AT, Mengue SS, Ramos LR, Tavares NUL, Pizzol TDSD, Arrais PSD, Farias MR, Luiza VL, Oliveira MA, Menezes AMB. Benzodiazepines utilization in Brazilian older adults: a population-based study.
Rev Saude Publica 2022;
56:10. [PMID:
35319670 PMCID:
PMC8926397 DOI:
10.11606/s1518-8787.2022056003740]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the utilization of benzodiazepines (BZD) in Brazilian older adults, based on the Pesquisa Nacional de Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos (PNAUM - National Survey of Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines).
METHODS
The PNAUM is a cross-sectional study conducted between 2013 and 2014, representing the Brazilian urban population. In the present study, we included 60 years or older (n = 9,019) individuals. We calculated the prevalence of BZD utilization in the 15 days prior to survey data collection according to independent variables, using a hierarchical Poisson regression model. A semistructured interview performed empirical data collection (household interview).
RESULTS
The prevalence of BZD utilization in the older adults was 9.3% (95%CI: 8.3-10.4). After adjustments, BZD utilization was associated with female sex (PR = 1.88; 95%CI: 1.52-2.32), depression (PR = 5.31; 95%CI: 4.41-6, 38), multimorbidity (PR = 1.44; 95%CI: 1.20-1.73), emergency room visit or hospitalization in the last 12 months (PR = 1.42; 95%CI: 1.18-1.70 ), polypharmacy (PR = 1.26; 95%CI: 1.01-1.57) and poor or very poor self-rated health (PR = 4.16; 95%CI: 2.10-8.22). Utilization was lower in the North region (PR = 0.18; 95%CI: 0.13-0.27) and in individuals who reported abusive alcohol consumption in the last month (PR = 0.42; 95%CI: 0.19-0.94).
CONCLUSION
Despite contraindications, results showed a high prevalence of BZD utilization in older adults, particularly in those with depression, and wide regional and sex differences.
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