Benzodiazepines utilization in Brazilian older adults: a population-based study

• Published in: Revista de saúde pública Vol. 56; p. 10
• Main Authors: Freire, Marina de Borba Oliveira, Da Silva, Bruna Gonçalves Cordeiro, Bertoldi, Andréa Dâmaso, Fontanella, Andréia Turmina, Mengue, Sotero Serrate, Ramos, Luiz Roberto, Tavares, Noemia Urruth Leão, Pizzol, Tatiane da Silva Dal, Arrais, Paulo Sérgio Dourado, Farias, Mareni Rocha, Luiza, Vera Lucia, Oliveira, Maria Auxiliadora, Menezes, Ana Maria Baptista
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Brazil Faculdade de Saúde Pública da Universidade de São Paulo 01-01-2022; Universidade de São Paulo
• Subjects: Aged; Benzodiazepines; Benzodiazepines - therapeutic use; Brazil - epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Drug Utilization; Female; Health Policy & Services; Humans; Male; Original; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Brazil; Benzodiazepinas; Idoso; Cross-Sectional Studies; Estudos Transversais; Risk Factors; Aged; Drug Utilization; Uso de Medicamentos; Fatores de Risco; Benzodiazepines
• ISSN: 1518-8787; 0034-8910; 1518-8787
• DOI: 10.11606/s1518-8787.2022056003740

To evaluate the utilization of benzodiazepines (BZD) in Brazilian older adults, based on the Pesquisa Nacional de Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos (PNAUM - National Survey of Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines).
The PNAUM is a cross-sectional study conducted between 2013 and 2014, representing the Brazilian urban population. In the present study, we included 60 years or older (n = 9,019) individuals. We calculated the prevalence of BZD utilization in the 15 days prior to survey data collection according to independent variables, using a hierarchical Poisson regression model. A semistructured interview performed empirical data collection (household interview).
The prevalence of BZD utilization in the older adults was 9.3% (95%CI: 8.3-10.4). After adjustments, BZD utilization was associated with female sex (PR = 1.88; 95%CI: 1.52-2.32), depression (PR = 5.31; 95%CI: 4.41-6, 38), multimorbidity (PR = 1.44; 95%CI: 1.20-1.73), emergency room visit or hospitalization in the last 12 months (PR = 1.42; 95%CI: 1.18-1.70 ), polypharmacy (PR = 1.26; 95%CI: 1.01-1.57) and poor or very poor self-rated health (PR = 4.16; 95%CI: 2.10-8.22). Utilization was lower in the North region (PR = 0.18; 95%CI: 0.13-0.27) and in individuals who reported abusive alcohol consumption in the last month (PR = 0.42; 95%CI: 0.19-0.94).
Despite contraindications, results showed a high prevalence of BZD utilization in older adults, particularly in those with depression, and wide regional and sex differences.