Benzodiazepine use in Sao Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To report the prevalence and factors associated with the use of benzodiazepines in the general population and those with a mental health condition in the metropolitan area of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: 5,037 individuals from the Sao Paulo Megacity Mental Health Survey data were interviewed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview, designed to generate DSM-IV diagnoses. Additionally, participants were asked if they had taken any medication in the previous 12 months for the treatment of any mental health condition. RESULTS: The prevalence of benzodiazepine use ranged from 3.6% in the general population to 7.8% among subjects with a mental health condition. Benzodiazepine use was more prevalent in subjects that had been diagnosed with a mood disorder as opposed to an anxiety disorder (14.7% vs. 8.1%, respectively). Subjects that had been diagnosed with a panic disorder (33.7%) or bipolar I/II (23.3%) reported the highest use. Individuals aged ≥50 years (11.1%), those with two or more disorders (11.2%), those with moderate or severe disorders (10%), and those that used psychiatric services (29.8%) also reported higher use. CONCLUSION: These findings give an overview of the use of benzodiazepines in the general population, which will be useful in the public health domain. Benzodiazepine use was higher in those with a mental health condition, with people that had a mood disorder being the most vulnerable. Furthermore, females and the elderly had high benzodiazepine use, so careful management in these groups is required.

Analysis of potentially inappropriate medication based on drug-drug interactions in older adults with psychiatric disorders: a retrospective study

“…Benzodiazepines prescribing to aged people is signi cantly in excess of what the available evidence suggests is appropriate 40 . Benzodiazepine use was higher in those with psychiatric disorders as people who had a mood disorder were the most vulnerable 41 . Psychiatrists had higher rates of benzodiazepine prescription 42 .…”

Use of psychotropic drugs by population in an area affected by the tailings dam rupture: Brumadinho Health Project

“…These psychotropic drugs are indicated in the treatment of mental disorders that impact populations affected by tragedies such as the one in Brumadinho. On the other hand, the prevalence observed in Brumadinho for the use of psychotropic drugs were higher than those detected in the adult population of large Brazilian cities 20,22,25 . This higher prevalence of use, compared to what was observed in Brazilian cities that were not affected by tragedies, may be an indication that the higher consumption of psychotropic drugs in Brumadinho is related to the dam failure.…”

Uso de psicofármacos por população em área atingida pelo rompimento de barragem de rejeitos: Projeto Saúde Brumadinho

“…Esses psicofármacos são indicados no tratamento dos transtornos mentais que acometem populações afetadas por tragédias como a de Brumadinho. Por outro lado, as prevalências observadas em Brumadinho para o uso de psicofármacos foram superiores àquelas detectadas na população adulta de grandes cidades brasileiras 20,22,25 . Essa maior prevalência de uso, em comparação com o observado em cidades brasileiras que não foram afetadas por tragédias, pode ser indício de que o maior consumo de psicofármacos em Brumadinho guarda relação com o rompimento da barragem.…”