New study reveals that one in four patients who start treatment with benzodiazepines uses them for a long time

The study Challenge of long-term benzodiazepine use in primary care: insights from a real-world cohort study in Catalonia,, led by Dr. Ignacio Aznar from the Health Technology Assessment in Primary Care and Mental Health (PRISMA) research group of Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IRSJD) and the Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu (PSSJD), recently published in the journal Family Medicine and Community Health, focuses on the chronic use of benzodiazepines (BZDs).

According to the data analyzed, 27.1% of patients who receive a new prescription for this type of drug end up becoming long-term users after three months, and 14.5% are still using it after six months. These figures contrast with clinical recommendations, which advise limiting use to a maximum of 4 weeks in the case of insomnia and 12 weeks for anxiety.

The study analyzed real data from more than 100,000 patients from the public health system of Catalonia, collected between July 2021 and June 2022.

Benzodiazepines: widespread use, significant risks

Benzodiazepines are drugs that act on the central nervous system and are commonly used to treat disorders such as anxiety, insomnia, seizures or muscle tension, as well as sedatives before medical procedures. Despite its effectiveness in the short term, prolonged consumption can lead to serious health risks, such as dependence, cognitive impairment, increased risk of falls and fractures, traffic accidents, tolerance to the drug and even an increase in mortality.

In Catalonia, more than 10% of the population treated in primary care receives a prescription for benzodiazepines each year, with a prevalence almost twice as high in women as in men and especially high in the elderly population.

"Our results show that a considerable proportion of patients who start treatment with benzodiazepines end up becoming long-term users if they do not have adequate clinical supervision. It is essential that more effective strategies are established to monitor and, if necessary, reduce the prolonged use of these medications," says Maite Peñarrubia, a collaborating researcher at the IRSJD and PSSJD, and one of the authors of the study.

Associated risk factors

Among the factors that increase the risk of becoming a chronic user are advanced age, female sex, the presence of mental disorders, having previously received benzodiazepines, living in rural areas, and virtual visits with the medical professional instead of face-to-face ones.
The authors of the study warn of the consequences of the continued use of these drugs, such as cognitive impairment, increased risk of falls and fractures, accidents, dependence and even mortality.

Towards safer use

This is the first study of its kind in Spain based on real data and with a large population sample. The results provide a solid basis for designing more personalized patient monitoring strategies, with the aim of reducing the risks associated with unnecessarily prolonged use of benzodiazepines.

Professional recognition for Dr. Maite Peñarrubia

In addition to the publication of the study, the scientific career of Dr. Maite Peñarrubia has recently been recognized in the field of primary care. On January 29, the board of the Barcelona College of Physicians of Baix Llobregat awarded her the prize for the Best Publication in Primary Care of the Metropolitan South for this research on the prolonged use of benzodiazepines. This recognition highlights not only the quality of her study, but also her contribution to improving clinical practice and patient safety in daily healthcare in the region.