Efficacy of benzodiazepines and related drugs in patients over 75 years of age and impact on cognition.

BACKGROUND

In France, despite the known risks, the use of benzodiazepines and related (BZD) is excessive, particularly in older populations. Over the age of 70, 1 person in 2 uses BZD on a long-term basis (more than 3 years), whereas it is recommended not to exceed 12 weeks. To compensate for the numerous undesirable effects and to maintain a positive benefit-risk balance, these treatments must be very effective and improve significantly the quality of life.

AIMS: This study aims to determine whether the efficacy of BZD outweighs their adverse effects in older population.

METHODS

In a population of 109 patients with cognitive impairment and hospitalized in Saint-Quentin (France), we recorded the use of BZD and medical background. Neuropsychological and geriatric assessments allowed cognitive and thymic evaluation.

RESULTS

In our cohort of 109 patients, 50% of the subjects were BZD + and 78% were women. Patients in the BZD + group were no longer anxious but had poorer cognitive and executive performance than controls.

DISCUSSION: Long-term treatment of anxiety in patients aged 75 and over with BZD appears to be effective. The deleterious impact of BZD on cognition has been demonstrated.

CONCLUSIONS

These results tend to consider non-medicinal therapies as serious alternatives to BZD for treating anxiety in the older population.