Use of anxiolytics and hypnotics - a pilot study

Abstract

Introduction: Benzodiazepine anxiolytics and hypnotics are often used in therapy. Aim: To study the use of anxiolytics and hypnotics among pharmacy clients in the town of Plovdiv. Materials and methods: In 2005 a questionnaire study was carried out on the use of anxiolytics and hypnotics among 191 clients of 50 pharmacies in the town of Plovdiv chosen at random. The frequency of using the above-mentioned groups of drugs was studied, as well as the factors influencing that use. The data were processed with the SPSS 12.0 statistical software. Results: 36.6% of the people who answered the questionnaire used anxiolytics on prescription, mostly bromazepam - 52.9%; diazepam - 19.1%; alprazolam and clonazepam - 13.2% each. Controlled use of hypnotics was recorded in 6.3% of the people included in the study. Preferred preparations with hypnotic effect were phenobarbital and zolpidem - 33.3% each, as well as nitrazepam - 25%. Self-treatment was recorded in 12% of the people. The most frequently used drugs were bromazepam - 41.7%, phenobarbital - 16.7% and diazepam - 12.5%. Of all preparations used for self-treatment, 75.1% were benzodiazepine ones. Risk factors for higher use of anxiolytics on prescription were: age over 60 /odds ratio=2.37/, use of hypnotics on prescription /odds ratio=9.92/, life characterized by "nervous tension" /odds ratio=2.27/, presence of concomitant diseases /odds ratio=6.75/ and intake of drugs for their treatment /odds ratio=5.72/. Of all the people that answered the questionnaire, 30.4% reported presence of concomitant diseases, with hypertension as the leading one (28.6%). Those who did not take alcohol used significantly more frequently anxiolytics on prescription . Scripta Scientifica Medica 2007;39(1):25-29