Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed to patients with schizophrenia in many countries, but as little is known about such treatment in Asia, we evaluated their adjunctive use for 6761 in-patients diagnosed with schizophrenia in nine Asian countries using a cross-sectional study design in 2001, 2004 and 2008. Multivariate logistic regression and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to assess predictors of benzodiazepine use and dose, respectively. Overall, 54% of the patients received adjunctive benzodiazepines at an average daily dose equivalent to 30.3 mg diazepam, with minor changes over the years sampled. Benzodiazepine use was highest in Taiwan and Japan, lowest in Thailand and China, and was associated with fewer years ill, presence of delusions (OR 1.24), hallucinations (OR 1.22), disorganized speech (OR 1.17), social or occupational dysfunction (OR 1.16), and use of mood stabilizers (OR 3.15), antiparkinsonian (OR 1.79) or antidepressant drugs (OR 1.33), and lower doses of antipsychotics (all p=0.016 to <0.001). Benzodiazepine doses were highest in Taiwan and China, lowest in Korea and Singapore; higher doses were associated with being young, male, physically aggressive, receiving mood stabilizers, and having electroconvulsive treatment (all p=0.019 to <0.001). Benzodiazepine use was associated with neurological and systemic adverse effects. In conclusion, benzodiazepine use was common in Asian patients with schizophrenia. Predictors of benzodiazepine use and dose differed in this population. Critical clinical guidelines should be developed specifically for Asian countries to address sound practices in regard to use of benzodiazepines for psychotic disorders.

IntroductionAnxiety and depression are distinct clinical entities associated with mortality in haemodialysis (HD) patients.AimsThis study aims to identify the prevalence of anxiety and depression in HD patients and uncover the association of anxiety and depression in relation to the dialysis adequacy and nutritional status.ObjectiveThis would help reinforce early detection and treatment to improve quality of life and patient's outcome in HD treatment.MethodForty HD patients were assessed for anxiety and depression with the Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD-7 and Patient Health Questionaire [PHQ-9]). The scores of GAD-7 and PHQ-9 were correlated with the demographic, clinical and laboratory variables and nutritional status assessed by a dietician through the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA).ResultsOut of the 40 HD patients, 7 (17.5%) were anxious and 15 (37.5%) were depressed. Patients were more anxious and less depressed with better nutrition. They were less anxious and depressed with increasing albumin levels, Charlston comorbidity index based on combined condition and age-related score and Kt/V. The univariate logistic regression analysis showed only a significant inverse correlation between depression and albumin level (P = 0.041, OR = 0.88 [95% CI = 0.78 to 0.99]) and Kt/V (P = 0.054, OR = 0.03 [95% CI = 0.01 to 1.07]).ConclusionDepression is more prevalent than anxiety in HD patients. The risk of depression also increases with poorer dialysis adequacy and nutritional status. Thus, by improving dialysis adequacy and nutritional status, we can reduce the incidence of depression. However, a significant correlation cannot be drawn for anxiety.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.