Prevalence and factors associated with the use of benzodiazepines in elderly in a specialized ambulatory in Porto Alegre, Brazil

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15448/2357-9641.2021.1.40298

Keywords:

aged, geriatric psychiatry, benzodiazepine receptor, potentially inappropriate medication list

Abstract

Aims: to verify the prevalence of BZDs use in the elderly population treated at an outpatient clinic for geriatric psychiatry at a university hospital in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
Methods: cross-sectional study carried out at the geriatric psychiatric outpatient clinic. Data collection occurred during the first consultation of individuals aged 60 years or over. The evaluated data comprise sociodemographic, clinical, health and medication use issues. For statistical analysis the SPSS program (in English, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) was used.
Results: a total of 295 elderly people were included in the study. The average age was 72.1 ± 8.3 years, mostly women (76.6%), with schooling from 5 to 8 and 9 to 12 years of study (both with the same frequency, 28.9%), married (45.0%), living with a family member (34.4%), retired (79.8%). The prevalence of BZDs use was 33.6% (n = 99). The main complaint of anxiety and the diagnosis of anxiety disorders were associated with the use of BZDs.
Conclusions: the prevalence of the use of BZDs was high and associated with the main complaint of anxiety and the diagnoses of anxiety and depressive disorders, even though these are considered potentially inappropriate medications and with a high risk of complications. The treatment of the geriatric population is often placed in the background, not properly receiving care directed to the specific demands that these individuals need. The epidemiological knowledge of the elderly population exposes characteristics and assists in the development of a differentiated therapeutic plan.

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Author Biographies

Isabella Serafin Couto, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.

Médica pela Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense (UNESC), em Criciúma, SC, Brasil; especialista em Psiquiatria pela Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), em Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.

Vanessa Sgnaolin, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.

Doutora em Gerontologia Biomédica pela Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), em Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil; mestre em Medicina e Ciências da Saúde pela Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), em Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.

Paula Engroff, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.

Doutora em Gerontologia Biomédica pela Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), em Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.

Letícia Güenter Dannebrock, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.

Médica pela Universidade Luterana do Brasil (ULBRA), em Canoas, RS, Brasil; especialista em Psiquiatria pela Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), em Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.

Luiz Gustavo Guilhermano, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.

Mestre em Farmacologia pela Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), em Porto Alegre, RS; Psiquiatra Titular da Associação Brasileira de Psiquiatria (ABP), em Rio de Janeiro, RJ; professor da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), em Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.

Alfredo Cataldo Neto, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.

Doutor em Medicina e Ciências da Saúde pela Pontifícia Universidade Católica Do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), em Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil; professor da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), em Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil.

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Published

2021-10-20

How to Cite

Couto, I. S., Sgnaolin, V., Engroff, P., Dannebrock, L. G., Guilhermano, L. G., & Neto, A. C. (2021). Prevalence and factors associated with the use of benzodiazepines in elderly in a specialized ambulatory in Porto Alegre, Brazil. PAJAR - Pan American Journal of Aging Research, 9(1), e40298. https://doi.org/10.15448/2357-9641.2021.1.40298

Issue

Vol. 9 No. 1 (2021): Single Volume - Continuous Publication

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Original Article

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