Evaluation of Dependence Among Benzodiazepines in Population of Elderly Subjects Followed in Psychiatric Service in Sfax

Abstract

Introduction

Benzodiazepines (BZD) are the most consumed psychotropic drugs by the elders. This prescription can lead to the dependence which is a major public health problem particularly in this population.

Objectives

To study the prevalence of dependence of the (BZD) in elderly subjects followed as outpatients and to identify the factors associated with it.

Methods

It was a cross-sectional study of 60 patients aged 65 years and older followed at the psychiatric consultation of the UH Hédi Chaker of Sfax; for 3 months. We used:

– Questionnaire containing demographic and clinical data.

– The cognitive scale of attachment to benzodiazepines (ECAB), a score ≥ 6 indicates dependence.

Results

The average age of patients was 67.78 years, with a sex-ratio M/W = 0.46. They were smoking in 58.3% of cases. The most frequent psychiatric disorders were mood disorders (40%) followed by anxiety disorders (13.3%). The absence of diagnosis was observed in 23.3% of cases. A psychotropic drugs were associated with BZD in 86.7%. The most prescripted BZD was lorazépam (90%). Withdrawal signs were present in 90% of cases. The prevalence of BZD dependence has been estimated at 80%.

BZD dependence was significantly correlated with smoking (P = 0.00), with psychotropics association (P = 0.04) and with signs of withdrawal (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

It appears from our study the importance of BZD dependence in the elderly what it is a source of withdrawal difficulty. So we need make more effort to comply with recommendations regarding the prescription of these molecules.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.