Evaluation of the use of benzodiazepines in an elderly population in the interior of Bahia

• Autor(a) principal: Pires, Jefferson Meira
• Data de Publicação: 2023
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Debates em Psiquiatria (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://revistardp.org.br/revista/article/view/482
• topic: benzodiazepínicos; prevalência; idosos; benzodiazepinas; prevalencia; ancianos; benzodiazepines; prevalence; elderly

Introduction: The elderly population is more vulnerable to the adverse effects of benzodiazepines due to higher risk of having multiple comorbidities, polypharmacy and drug interactions. Objective: To evaluate the prescription of benzodiazepines in the elderly population in a Health Center in the interior of Bahia. Methods: This is a descriptive, retrospective, observational and cross-sectional study, which included elderly patients over 60 years old. A selection of the patient population from the clinic was carried out, meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria, an epidemiological survey through a only one structured interview and Mini Mental State Examination to assess their cognition. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA), version 14.0, and the variables were expressed in frequency and percentages and, for comparison between them, the Test of the Chi Square was utilized. Finally, p value≤0.05 was established to demonstrate statistical significance. Results: The rate of benzodiazepines use in this population was 65%, with a predominance of clonazepam (39.1%) and diazepam (29.7%). The specialists who most prescribed benzodiazepines were psychiatrists (53.9%) followed by practitioners (32%). Among the elderly who use benzodiazepines, 41.4% were instructed to make a discontinuation attempt, and of these, 35.8% managed to complete the request. Among those who tried and were unsuccessful, the main causes of failure were abrupt stop of the medication (44.1%) and recurrence of symptoms during gradual tapering off process (32.4%). Conclusions: The study demonstrated a high prevalence of benzodiazepine use in the elderly in this sample, with low incentive to discontinue these medications, tending to its abuse with aging. Therefore, strategies to discontinue benzodiazepines should be encouraged, as well as the training of the entire team in dealing with this public health issue.