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Patterns in the use of benzodiazepines in British Columbia: Examining the impact of increasing research and guideline cautions against long-term use

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  • Cunningham, Colleen M.
  • Hanley, Gillian E.
  • Morgan, Steve

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.

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  • Cunningham, Colleen M. & Hanley, Gillian E. & Morgan, Steve, 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, Elsevier, vol. 97(2-3), pages 122-129, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:hepoli:v:97:y:2010:i:2-3:p:122-129
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Duncan, G.J. & Daly, M.C. & McDonough, P. & Williams, D.R., 2002. "Optimal indicators of socioeconomic status for health research," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 92(7), pages 1151-1157.
    2. Gillian E. Hanley & Steve Morgan & Jeremiah Hurley & Eddy van Doorslaer, 2008. "Distributional consequences of the transition from age‐based to income‐based prescription drug coverage in British Columbia, Canada," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 17(12), pages 1379-1392, December.
    3. Gudex, C., 1991. "Adverse effects of Benzodiazepines," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 33(5), pages 587-596, January.
    4. Duncan, G.J. & Daly, M.C. & McDonogh, P. & Williams, D.R., 2002. "Erratum: Optimal indicators of socioeconomic status for health research (American Journal of Public Health (2002) 92 (1151-1157))," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 92(8), pages 1212-1212.
    5. Gillian E. Hanley & Steve Morgan & Jeremiah Hurley & Eddy van Doorslaer, 2008. "Distributional consequences of the transition from age-based to income-based prescription drug coverage in British Columbia, Canada," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 17(12), pages 1379-1392.
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