USE OF BENZODIAZEPINES IN THE ITALIAN GENERAL-POPULATION - PREVALENCE, PATTERN OF USE AND RISK-FACTORS FOR USE

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and profile of us e of benzodiazepines in the Italian population and risk factors for us e. Between November 1992 and February 1993, 62 general practitioners s ubmitted a validated self-administered questionnaire on health status and drug use to a randomised sample of 3100 subjects (greater than or equal to 18 years of age, stratified by sex and age), of whom 2803 res ponded (response rate 90.4%). Main outcome measures were point estimat e (past-week) of all the drugs taken by each individual, dosage and le ngth of use and source of the prescription. The overall past-week prev alence of use of benzodiazepines was 8.6% (5.0% males and 11.8% female s). In the elderly (greater than or equal to 65 years) 18.8% reported current use (9.0% males and 24.7% females). Fifty-six per cent of the persons exposed to a benzodiazepine were chronic users (daily, for mor e than 6 months), and 70.1% in subjects greater than or equal to 65 ye ars. The average daily dose taken was relatively low: 61% of short-ter m users and 51% of chronic users used less than half a defined daily d ose (DDD). Female sex, older age, unemployment and retirement were ind ependently associated with the use of benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepine use in Italy appeared to be relatively high (about 9% of subjects repo rted current use 57% of whom were chronic users). Women were prescribe d a benzodiazepine twice as often as men and one out of four elderly w omen was on treatment. Although the average dosage used was rather low , the high prevalence and the elevated proportion of chronic users sho uld encourage drug information campaigns and educational interventions to promote a more conservative use of these drugs especially in the e lderly.