ArticleBMJ open2020
Patterns of benzodiazepine prescription among older adults in Switzerland: a cross-sectional analysis of claims data.
Article in BMJ open, 2020. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 26 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
26 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Barriers and enablers for deprescribing benzodiazepine receptor agonists in older adults: a systematic review of qualitative and quantitative studies using the theoretical domains framework.Implementation science : IS · 2022Pooled it
- Identification of low-value practices susceptible to gender bias in primary care setting.BMC primary care · 2024Trial
- Benzodiazepine Prescription and Use in the Older Adults in Catalonia, Spain from 2018 to 2022: A Drug Utilization Study.Drugs & aging · 2026Article
- Longer Duration of Drug Elimination and Withdrawal Symptoms in Overweight Patients Undergoing Detoxification for Benzodiazepine Dependence.Alpha psychiatry · 2026Article
- Barriers to discontinuing benzodiazepine receptor agonists in older adults: a survey of older adults across Europe.Age and ageing · 2025Observational
- Anticholinergic and Sedative Medication Burden in Croatian Older Adults: EuroAgeism Cohort Findings.Pharmacy (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Seizing the link: Exploring the potential association between anti-seizure medications and Alzheimer's disease.Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD · 2025Article
- Prevalence and Risk Factors for Psychotropic Medication Use in Older Adults in Australia: A Nationwide Data Linkage Study.Drugs & aging · 2025Article
- Patterns of Polydrug Use in Patients Presenting at the Emergency Department with Acute Intoxication.Toxics · 2025Article
- Benzodiazepine-receptor agonist prescription in a population of hospitalised patients in four psychogeriatric units in Switzerland.Journal of sleep research · 2025Article
- Rising Trend of Substance Abuse Among Older Adults: A Review Focusing on Screening and Management.Cureus · 2024Review
- Article
- Barriers, facilitators and needs to deprescribe benzodiazepines and other sedatives in older adults: a mixed methods study of primary care provider perspectives.BMC geriatrics · 2024Article
- Characteristics of patients with anxiety disorder without selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor prescription over a two-year period of pharmacotherapy.Neuropsychopharmacology reports · 2024Article
- Appropriateness of the Prescription and Use of Medicines: An Old Concept but More Relevant than Ever.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2023Article
- Narrative Literature Review of Potential Atrial Fibrillation Mechanism of Action Induced by Discontinuation of Benzodiazepines.Acta medica Lituanic · 2023Review
- Global trends in antidepressant, atypical antipsychotic, and benzodiazepine use: A cross-sectional analysis of 64 countries.PloS one · 2023Article
- Potentially Inappropriate Medication Dispensing in Outpatients: Comparison of Different Measurement Approaches.Risk management and healthcare policy · 2023Article
- Anticholinergic and Sedative Medications Are Associated With Neurocognitive Performance of Well Treated People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus.Open forum infectious diseases · 2022Article
- Trends and Geographic Variabilities in Benzodiazepines Prescription in Primary Care to Older Adults: A 3-Year Population-Based Ecological Study in Portugal.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveThis study aimed to examine the prevalence and determinants of benzodiazepine prescription among older adults in Switzerland, and analyse association with hospitalisation and costs.
designRetrospective analysis of claims data.
settingThe study was conducted in nine cantons in Switzerland.
participantsOlder adults aged 65 years and older enrolled with a large Swiss health insurance company participated in the study. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was prevalence of benzodiazepine prescription. The secondary outcomes were (1) determinants of any benzodiazepine prescription; (2) the association between any prescription and the probability of hospitalisation for trauma and (3) the association between any prescription and total healthcare expenditures.
resultsOverall, 69 005 individuals were included in the study. Approximately 20% of participants had at least one benzodiazepine prescription in 2017. Prescription prevalence increased with age (65-69: 15.9%; 70-74: 18.4%; 75-80: 22.5%; >80: 25.8%) and was higher in women (25.1%) compared with men (14.6%). Enrollees with the highest deductible of Swiss Francs (CHF) 2500 were 70% less likely to receive a prescription than enrollees with the lowest deductible of CHF 300 (adjusted OR=0.29, 95% CI 0.24 to 0.35).Individuals with at least one prescription had a higher probability of hospitalisation for trauma (OR=1.31, 95% CI 1. 20 to 1.1.44), and 70% higher health care expenditures (β=0.72, 95% CI 0. 67 to 0.77). Enrollees in canton Valais were three times more likely to receive a prescription compared to enrollees from canton Aargau (OR=2.84, 95% 2.51 to 3.21).
conclusionsThe proportion of older adults with at least one benzodiazepine prescription is high, as found in the data of one large Swiss health insurance company. These enrollees are more likely to be hospitalised for trauma and have higher healthcare expenditures. Important differences in prescription prevalence across cantons were observed, suggesting potential overuse. Further research is needed to understand the drivers of variation, prescription patterns across providers, and trends over time.
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