Citation

Verthein U, Buth S, Holzbach R, Neumann-Runde E, Martens MS. Psychiatr. Prax. 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Vernacular Title

Benzodiazepine und Z-Substanzen – Analyse der kassenärztlichen Verschreibungen von 2006 bis 2015.

Affiliation

Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Zentrum für Interdisziplinäre Suchtforschung der Universität Hamburg (ZIS), Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Georg Thieme Verlag)

DOI

10.1055/a-0961-2371

PMID

31412372

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The majority of medication-dependent persons uses sedatives and hypnotics for many years. In this study we describe trends of benzodiazepine and z-drug prescriptions over a 10-years period.

METHODS: Prescriptions from 2006 to 2015 (based on German statutory health insurances) from the North German Pharmacy Computing Centre (NARZ) were analysed for the Federal states Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Lower Saxony and Bremen. Data were classified as appropriate (in accordance with the guideline) or inappropriate/risky prescription patterns.

RESULTS: In a 10-years period 1.64 Million patients received benzodiazepine and/or z-drug prescriptions. Two thirds were women (65.3 %). More than half were 60 years or older. The percentage of patients with appropriate prescriptions (less than 2 months) increased from 51.7 % in 2006 to 60.2 % in 2015. The rate of inappropriate or risky prescription patterns which can be indicative of misuse or dependence dropped from 34.8 % in 2006 to 27.1 % in 2015.

CONCLUSION: Over the past years the amount of inappropriate or risky benzodiazepine and z-drug prescriptions (which are not in accordance with the guideline) among patients with statutory health insurance is steadily decreasing. However, two fifths of the patients still received prescriptions for long-term intake or in higher doses. It remains unclear to what extent private prescriptions are used for inappropriate or long-term prescriptions of benzodiazepines and z-drugs.

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Language: de

Language: de