Socioeconomic Influences on Benzodiazepine Consumption in an Irish Region

Abstract

Misuse of prescription sedatives is a significant problem for addiction treatment services. The aim of this study was to examine the prescribing of diazepam in disadvantaged Irish communities, and to identify factors which may predict diazepam consumption in that population. We examined prescribing trends for those aged 16–69 years in 2002 in a region of the state-funded General Medical Services Scheme. Material deprivation was based on the 2002 Small Area Health Research Unit (SAHRU) deprivation index. The average defined daily dose (DDD) was calculated and logistic regression analysis was used to predict diazepam use by age, gender and deprivation index. Results showed that patients living in the most-deprived areas were more likely to receive diazepam than patients living in the least-deprived areas (OR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.15–1.27). Female patients living in the most-deprived areas were also more likely to receive diazepam than those living in the least-deprived areas (OR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.18–1.57). It is concluded that there is a pattern of higher diazepam prescribing in areas of greatest deprivation, where prescription sedatives play a complex role within troubled families.

Socio-demographic factors and long-term use of benzodiazepines in patients with depression, anxiety or insomnia

“…A majority of previous studies investigating long-term use of benzodiazepines have been based on relatively small sample sizes and/or self-reported data (Anthierens et al, 2007;Demyttenaere et al, 2008;Fassaert et al, 2007;Manthey et al, 2012;Manthey et al, 2011;Quigley et al, 2006;Zandstra et al, 2002). The present study contributes to the body of knowledge as it is based on data from a large primary health care population of 919 941 individuals.…”

“…In addition, the primary health care centres were located in urban and rural areas as well as in both the Southern and Northern parts of Stockholm The following covariates were included in the model: age, gender, country of origin, income, education, social welfare and marital status. These covariates were included because previous research has shown that sociodemographic factors are related to psychiatric disorders (Andersen and Frydenberg, 2011;Bayard-Burfield et al, 2001;Demyttenaere et al, 2008;Fang et al, 2009;Hjern, 2001;Quigley et al, 2006;Sonnenberg et al, 2012). Age was divided into five categories: 25-44, 45-64, 65-74, and 85+ years.…”

“…Benzodiazepines represent some of the most frequently prescribed tranquilizers in the world (Fang et al, 2009;Fassaert et al, 2007;Moerman and Haafkens, 1993;Quigley et al, 2006;Zandstra et al, 2002). If properly used, benzodiazepines possess sedative, hypnotic, and antianxiety properties and have therefore an obvious role in the therapeutic arsenal (Fang et al, 2009;Fassaert et al, 2007;Rogers et al, 2007) when initiating medical and/or psychotherapeutic treatment of depression, anxiety and insomnia disorders.…”

“…Former studies have been able to establish that individual socio-demographic factors are associated with psychiatric disorders, such as depression, anxiety and insomnia (Andersen and Frydenberg, 2011;Bayard-Burfield et al, 2001;Demyttenaere et al, 2008;Fang et al, 2009;Hjern, 2001;Quigley et al, 2006;Sonnenberg et al, 2012). Former studies have also attempted to characterize individual socio-demographic factors associated with the occurrence of long-term use of benzodiazepines.…”

A 5-year follow-up study of users of benzodiazepine: starting with diazepam versus oxazepam

“…18,19 Clearly, many doctors unsure of the risk for dependency chose oxazepam rather than diazepam for these patients.…”