Abstract
Objective: The study aimed to analyze the Quality of Life (QoL) of patients utilizing benzodiazepines (BZDs).
 Methods: A prospective interventional study was conducted among 109 patients who met the inclusion criteria. The patients consuming BZDs more than the prescribed duration were identified and deprescribed. Deprescribing plan was advised after discussing with the prescribing psychiatrist and inappropriate BZD users. The QoL of patient’s pre and post-intervention amongst both the continuing and deprescribed groups was evaluated by WHO-QoL BREF questionnaire.
 Results: Mean scores in the domains of physical health (71.48), psychological health (68.74), social relationships (65.15) and environmental health (68) among the deprescribed group was higher compared to the maintenance group. Independent t-test statistic for QoL showed a statistical significance in all 4 domains with p value<0.05.
 Conclusion: The current study emphasizes that deprescribing of BZDs as shared decision model involving the physician, pharmacist and patients improves the QoL of the patient.
Highlights
The current study emphasizes that deprescribing of BZDs as shared decision model involving the physician, pharmacist and patients improves the Quality of Life (QoL) of the patient
Despite recommendations for transient or short term use i. e for a duration not exceeding 2-4weeks, prolonged use is a widespread phenomenon in medical practice [2]
Chronic BZD use i. e more than 3months duration may lead to distressing adverse effects such as dependence, tolerance and cognitive impairments [3, 4]
Summary
The current study emphasizes that deprescribing of BZDs as shared decision model involving the physician, pharmacist and patients improves the QoL of the patient. A recent survey conducted in India revealed that patients take medications for longer durations than required due to health literacy issues Kamath et al (2017) [5]. The literature reveals that none of the studies are conducted to evaluate the QoL among the inappropriate BZDs users and this is the first study in India that has looked upon assessing the QoL of patients before and after deprescribing BZDs. the present study was designed to examine the effects of deprescribing BZDs on the patient’s overall QoL.
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