Evidence map›Paper›PMID 29626743›Full record

ArticleDrug and alcohol dependence2018

Examining racial/ethnic differences in patterns of benzodiazepine prescription and misuse.

Benjamin Cook, Timothy Creedon, Ye Wang, Chunling Lu, Nicholas Carson, Piter Jules, Esther Lee, Margarita Alegría

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Drug and alcohol dependence, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 39 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
39citing papers in PubMed, 3 pooled it
2.8field-weighted citation impact, top 9% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

39 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 59 citations in OpenAlex.

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  14. [Factors associated with benzodiazepines dependence in insomnia patients].Revista medica del Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social · 2023
    Observational
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

Benjamin CookHealth Equity Research Lab, Cambridge Health Alliance and Harvard Medical School, 1035 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA, 02141, USA. Electronic address: bcook@cha.harvard.edu.
Timothy CreedonHealth Equity Research Lab, Cambridge Health Alliance and Harvard Medical School, 1035 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA, 02141, USA.
Ye WangDepartment of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St., Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Chunling LuHarvard School of Public Health 677 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Nicholas CarsonHealth Equity Research Lab, Cambridge Health Alliance and Harvard Medical School, 1035 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA, 02141, USA.
Piter JulesHealth Equity Research Lab, Cambridge Health Alliance and Harvard Medical School, 1035 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA, 02141, USA.
Esther LeeHealth Equity Research Lab, Cambridge Health Alliance and Harvard Medical School, 1035 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA, 02141, USA.
Margarita AlegríaDepartment of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck St., Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Cambridge Health Alliance · USHarvard University · US

Funding

International Latino Research Partnership (ILRP)R01DA034952 · NIDA · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · PI ALEGRIA, MARGARITA · 2013 to 2017
$2.8M
Comparative Effectiveness Research Diffusion and Mental Health Care DisparitiesR01HS021486 · AHRQ · CAMBRIDGE HEALTH ALLIANCE · PI COOK, BENJAMIN LE · 2013 to 2015
$725k
AHRQ HHS R01 HS021486NIDA NIH HHS R01 DA034952
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBenzodiazepines (BZDs) are widely prescribed during psychiatric treatment. Unfortunately, their misuse has led to recent surges in overdose emergency visits and drug-related deaths.

methodsElectronic health record data from a large healthcare system were used to describe racial/ethnic, sex, and age differences in BZD use and dependence. Among patients with a BZD prescription, we assessed differences in the likelihood of subsequently receiving a BZD dependence diagnosis, number of BZD prescriptions, receiving only one BZD prescription, and receiving 18 or more BZD prescriptions. We also estimated multivariate hazard models and generalized linear models, assessing racial/ethnic differences after adjustment for covariates.

resultsIn both unadjusted and adjusted analyses, Whites were more likely than Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians to have a BZD dependence diagnosis and to receive a BZD prescription. Racial/ethnic minority groups received fewer BZD prescriptions, were more likely to have only one BZD prescription, and were less likely to have 18 or more BZD prescriptions. We identified greater BZD misuse among older patients but no sex differences.

conclusionsFindings from this study add to the emerging evidence of high relative rates of prescription drug abuse among Whites. There is a concern, given their greater likelihood of having only one BZD prescription, that Blacks, Hispanics, and Asians may be discontinuing BZDs before their clinical need is resolved. Research is needed on provider readiness to offer racial/ethnic minorities BZDs when indicated, patient preferences for BZDs, and whether lower prescription rates among racial/ethnic minorities offer protection against the progression from prescription to addiction.

Indexed as

Health Status DisparitiesAdultAgedBenzodiazepinesDrug OverdoseElectronic Health RecordsEthnicityFemaleHispanic or LatinoHumansMaleMiddle AgedPrescription Drug MisuseRacial GroupsWhite PeopleBenzodiazepinesAlcohol withdrawalAnxietyBenzodiazepinesBZDBZD dependenceDrugDrug dependenceDrug misuseInsomniaMental healthMental illnessMuscle relaxationPanic disorderPrescriptionPsychoactiveRacial/ethnic disparitySeizuresTreatment

Identifiers

PMID29626743
PMCPMC5959774
OpenAlexW2790858995

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceTDM
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.