Cunningham, C, Hanley, G E and Morgan, S (2010) Patterns in the use of benzodiazepines in British Columbia: examining the impact of increasing research and guideline cautions against long-term use. Health Policy, 97 (2-3). pp. 122-129. ISSN 0168-8510
Abstract
Objective
We examined changes in patterns of benzodiazepine use in British Columbia over a period of increasing evidence of harms associated with long-term use.
Methods
Using linked administrative databases for the years 1996 and 2006, we performed logistic regression to examine how socio-economic and health factors affect the likelihood of benzodiazepine use and long-term use, and to test for changes in rates of use and long-term use over time.
Results
In 2006, 8.4% of British Columbians used benzodiazepines, 3.5% long-term. Use was positively related with being female, lower income, older, and of poorer health status. Long-term use was positively associated with being in the lowest income quintile, of poorest health, and over the age of 65. While the rate of long-term use decreased from 1996 to 2006 for those over age 70, it increased in middle-aged populations.
Conclusions
Our results suggest, despite increased awareness of and cautions regarding risks associated with long-term use of benzodiazepines, rates of potentially inappropriate use have changed very little over a decade. Given that early use of benzodiazepines is positively associated with later long-term use, policies targeting populations younger than conventionally studied (i.e. those under age 65) may be needed to decrease rates of long-term use.
More Details
Item Type: | Article |
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Subject Areas: | Strategy and Entrepreneurship |
Date Deposited: | 31 Aug 2017 14:38 |
Subjects: |
Canada Health service |
Last Modified: | 18 Nov 2024 01:45 |
URI: | https://lbsresearch.london.edu/id/eprint/880 |