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Use of benzodiazepines, depressive symptoms and cognitive function in old age.
- Source :
-
International journal of geriatric psychiatry [Int J Geriatr Psychiatry] 2009 May; Vol. 24 (5), pp. 500-8. - Publication Year :
- 2009
-
Abstract
- Objective: Benzodiazepine use is more frequently observed in depressive and cognitively impaired subjects. The temporal relation behind this association is unknown. Here, we studied whether benzodiazepine use is associated with depressive symptoms and cognitive function and what the temporal relation underlying the associations is.<br />Methods: Within the Leiden 85-plus Study, a prospective population based study of 599 subjects aged 85 years at baseline, we assessed benzodiazepine use, depressive symptoms, and cognitive function annually during a 5-year follow-up period.<br />Results: Benzodiazepine users were more likely to be female, be institutionalized, and have a low education. Benzodiazepine users scored 0.76 points higher on the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale than non-users (95% CI: 0.27-1.25, p = 0.002). They were 1.6-fold more likely to develop new depressive symptoms in 1 year when compared to non-users (95% CI: 1.05-2.55, p = 0.028). Benzodiazepine use did not associate with cognitive function, but discontinued benzodiazepine users had a 4.0 points lower Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score in the year before discontinuation than continued benzodiazepine users (95% CI: 1.31-6.73, p = 0.004).<br />Conclusions: In old age the use of benzodiazepines is associated with depressive symptoms and the use of benzodiazepines may precede the development of depressive symptoms. Treating physicians seem to be aware of the detrimental effects of benzodiazepines on cognitive function. However, they should be cautious in prescribing a new benzodiazepine in old age and monitor elderly benzodiazepine users for development of depressive symptoms.<br /> ((c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)
- Subjects :
- Aging physiology
Benzodiazepines administration & dosage
Cognition Disorders epidemiology
Depression epidemiology
Educational Status
Female
Geriatric Assessment statistics & numerical data
Humans
Male
Netherlands
Neuropsychological Tests
Prospective Studies
Time Factors
Aged, 80 and over psychology
Benzodiazepines adverse effects
Cognition drug effects
Cognition Disorders chemically induced
Depression chemically induced
Institutionalization
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1099-1166
- Volume :
- 24
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- International journal of geriatric psychiatry
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 18937277
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.2143