[La...] Posted August 23, 2019 Share Posted August 23, 2019 The full title of this German study is "Benzodiazepines and Z-Drugs - Analyses of Ambulatory Prescriptions from 2006 to 2015". https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31412372 Abstract OBJECTIVE: The majority of medication-dependent persons uses sedatives and hypnotics for many years. In this study we describe trends of benzodiazepine and z-drug prescriptions over a 10-years period. METHODS: Prescriptions from 2006 to 2015 (based on German statutory health insurances) from the North German Pharmacy Computing Centre (NARZ) were analysed for the Federal states Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Lower Saxony and Bremen. Data were classified as appropriate (in accordance with the guideline) or inappropriate/risky prescription patterns. RESULTS: In a 10-years period 1.64 Million patients received benzodiazepine and/or z-drug prescriptions. Two thirds were women (65.3 %). More than half were 60 years or older. The percentage of patients with appropriate prescriptions (less than 2 months) increased from 51.7 % in 2006 to 60.2 % in 2015. The rate of inappropriate or risky prescription patterns which can be indicative of misuse or dependence dropped from 34.8 % in 2006 to 27.1 % in 2015. CONCLUSION: Over the past years the amount of inappropriate or risky benzodiazepine and z-drug prescriptions (which are not in accordance with the guideline) among patients with statutory health insurance is steadily decreasing. However, two fifths of the patients still received prescriptions for long-term intake or in higher doses. It remains unclear to what extent private prescriptions are used for inappropriate or long-term prescriptions of benzodiazepines and z-drugs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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