[Reasons for Long-Term Use of Benzodiazepines and Z-Drugs in Older Patients].

Background: Long-term use of benzodiazepines (BZD) and Z-drugs is associated with the risk of developing dependency. Many older patients use these drugs for long durations, which is often associated with low-dose dependency without an increase in dose.

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the reasons, symptoms, and side effects, as well as the prescription conditions among older patients who were prescribed BZD or Z-drugs within the last 12 months.

Methods: A 9-page questionnaire was sent to 4,000 patients of the AOK-NordWest, stratified according to age group (50-56 years;>65 years) and intake behavior (long-term use/ guideline incompatible; short-term use/ guideline compatible). Patients provided demographic data and indicated on a comprehensive list of BZD and Z-drugs, which substances they had used or were currently using. In addition, patients were asked about the reasons and underlying symptoms for taking these medications, possible side effects, and previous attempts to discontinue the medications.

Results: A total of 466 patients returned completed questionnaires (11.7%). A further 43 privately insured patients were recruited through pharmacies. 169 patients, mainly from the group with guideline-compatible prescriptions, indicated that they had never taken these medications. The remaining 340 patients were 68.5% female and the average age was 72.1 years. Compared to patients with guideline-compatible prescriptions, a greater proportion of patients with guideline-incompatible prescriptions were taking Z-drugs. The average daily dose (DDD) consumed was significantly higher than in those with guideline-compatible prescriptions, although on average both patient groups took low doses (<1 DDD) of the medication. In both groups, the main reason for taking BZD and Z-drugs was sleeping problems.

Conclusions: Considering the recommendation that BZD and Z-drugs are to be taken only short-term for sleeping problems, the extent of insomnia indications is high. The low doses suggest a careful and controlled prescription behavior in both groups, with the majority of long-term consumers likely to have developed low-dose dependency. This is associated with only a limited need for intervention, since only few medication-dependent people underwent addiction treatment.