The condition of benzodiazepines use in generalized anxiety disorder patients and the relationship with the first BZD prescription

Abstract

Objective To study the condition of benzodiazepines use in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) patients and the relationship with the first benzodiazepine(BZD) prescription.Methods 70 outpatients with GAD were investigated retrospectively and divided into either research group( n = 54, M21, F33; age (18 ～73)year) or control group( n= 16,M7,F9; age( 18 ～53)year) based on whether the first prescription included BZD or not.Results The duration and dose of BZD used in research group ( separately (9.7 ± 4.4) months, ( 1.6 ± 0.7 ) mg/d) were significantly higher than those in control group ( separately(2.3 ± 2.4) months, (0.9 ± 0.9 ) mg/d) (P＜0.01).The long-term use of BZD was positively related to whether the first prescription include BZD or not,patients' insomnia on first visit,the duration of follow-up and the dose of BZD,which showed significantly difference (P＜ 0.05 ).The standardized rates of long-term use of BZD and dependence in research group were significantly higher than those in control group (P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusion Prescribing BZD on the first visit is partly responsible for the long-term use of BZD and doctors should better be very careful of prescribing BZD on first visit. Key words: First prescription; General anxiety disorder; Benzodiazepine