2026-04-13T01:19:13Zhttps://recercat.cat/oai/request

oai:recercat.cat:2445/2180442025-02-04T14:14:41Zcom_2072_1057col_2072_478815col_2072_478917

00925njm 22002777a 4500 dc Fialová, Daniela author Lukačišinová, Anna author Reissigová, Jindra author Ortner-Hadžiabdić, Maja author Brkic, Jovana author Okuyan, Betul author Volmer, Daisy author Tadić, Ivana author Modamio Charles, Pilar author Mariño Hernández, Eduardo L. author Tachkov, Konstantine author Liperotti, Rosa author Onder, Graziano author Finne-Soveri, Harriet author van Hout, Hein author Howard, Elizabeth P. author 2025-01-28T09:17:03Z 2025-01-28T09:17:03Z 2024-12-01 2025-01-28T09:17:03Z Background: The use of benzodiazepines (BZDs) in older population is often accompanied by drug-related complications. Inappropriate BZD use significantly alters older adults' clinical and functional status. This study compares the prevalence, prescribing patterns and factors associated with BZD use in community-dwelling older patients in 7 European countries. Methods: International, cross-sectional study was conducted in community-dwelling older adults (65 +) in the Czech Republic, Serbia, Estonia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Turkey, and Spain between Feb2019 and Mar2020. Structured and standardized questionnaire based on interRAI assessment scales was applied. Logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated with BZD use. Results: Out of 2,865 older patients (mean age 73.2 years ± 6.8, 61.2% women) 14.9% were BZD users. The highest prevalence of BZD use was identified in Croatia (35.5%), Spain (33.5%) and Serbia (31.3%). The most frequently prescribed BZDs were diazepam (27.9% of 426 BZD users), alprazolam (23.7%), bromazepam (22.8%) and lorazepam (16.7%). Independent factors associated with BZD use were female gender (OR 1.58, 95%CI 1.19-2.10), hyperpolypharmacy (OR 1.97, 95%CI 1.22-3.16), anxiety (OR 4.26, 95%CI 2.86-6.38), sleeping problems (OR 4.47, 95%CI 3.38-5.92), depression (OR 1.95, 95%CI 1.29-2.95), repetitive anxious complaints (OR 1.77, 95%CI 1.29-2.42), problems with syncope (OR 1.78, 95%CI 1.03-3.06), and loss of appetite (OR 0.60, 95%CI 0.38-0.94). In comparison to Croatia, residing in other countries was associated with lower odds of BZD use (ORs varied from 0.49 (95%CI 0.32-0.75) in Spain to 0.01 (95%CI 0.00-0.03) in Turkey), excluding Serbia (OR 1.11, 95%CI 0.79-1.56). Conclusions: Despite well-known negative effects, BZDs are still frequently prescribed in older outpatient population in European countries. Principles of safer geriatric prescribing and effective deprescribing strategies should be individually applied in older BZD users. Keywords: Benzodiazepines; Community-dwelling older adults; Europe; Geriatric dosing; Geriatric length of therapy. http://hdl.handle.net/2445/218044 Farmacologia geriàtrica Benzodiazepines Geriatric pharmacology Benzodiazepines Prevalence, country-specific prescribing patterns and determinants of benzodiazepine use in community-residing older adults in 7 European countries