A comparison of patterns of tranquiliser intake, anxiety and health locus of control between short- and long-term benzodiazepine users

This study investigates the impact of physical illness, health locus of con trol and anxiety level on long- and short-term benzodiazepine (BZD) use in patients of an internal medicine department. There was no significant diffe rence observed between the continuing and discontinuing group after hospita l admission in terms of average daily dose of BZD. However, the continuing patients rated the condition of their somatic illness significantly higher than the discontinuing group, although this difference was not confirmed by the objective assessment of the treating physician. The non-continuing gro up displayed significantly higher control over health- and sickness-related events. The somatic and physical anxiety factor was significantly higher i n the continuing group at initial investigation as well as at follow-up. On the basis of these results, we conclude that an increased focus on the psy chosomatic element might reduce the risk of lone-term tranquiliser use in p atients with physical illness. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.