Citation

Martinez-Cengotitabengoa M, Diaz-Gutierrez MJ, Besga A, Bermúdez-Ampudia C, López P, Rondon MB, Stewart DE, Perez P, Gutierrez M, Gonzalez-Pinto A. Rev. Psiquiatr. Salud Ment. 2018; 11(1): 12-18.

Vernacular Title

Prescripción de benzodiacepinas y caídas en mujeres y hombres ancianos.

Affiliation

CIBERSAM, Departamento de Psiquiatría, Hospital Universitario Araba, BioAraba Research Institute, Vitoria, España; Universidad del País Vasco, Vitoria, España.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.rpsm.2017.01.004

PMID

28259477

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Despite cautions by professional associations, benzodiazepines (BZD) and Z hypnotics (BZD/Z) are widely prescribed to older adults who are particularly susceptible to insomnia and anxiety, but who are also more sensitive to drugs adverse events. In this study, we assessed the prescription of BZD/Z drugs in a sample of older adults (≥65) who presented for emergency care after a fall.

METHODS: We collected the type, number and dose of BZD/Z drugs prescribed and explored gender differences in the prescription.

RESULTS: BZD/Z drugs were prescribed to 43.6% of the sample (n=654) and more frequently to women; 78.4% of prescriptions were for BZD/Z drugs with a short half-life. The majority of patients (83.5%) were prescribed only one type of BZD/Z, but 16.5% had been prescribed multiple BZD/Z drugs, with no gender difference. Doses higher than those recommended for older adults were prescribed to 58% of patients, being the doses significantly higher for men compared to women (70.0% vs 53.1%).

CONCLUSIONS: Over 40% of older adults presenting for emergency care after a fall had previously been prescribed BZD/Z drugs. Some important gender differences in the prescription of BZD/Z drugs were seen, especially prescription above the recommended dose and of drugs with a long-half life.

Copyright © 2017 SEP y SEPB. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Language: es

Keywords

Accidental falls; Aged; Ancianos; Benzodiacepinas; Benzodiazepines; Caídas accidentales; Gender; Género