Association between benzodiazepine use and development of dementia.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between use of benzodiazepines and incident dementia.

METHODS

Analytical prospective nested case-control study for which the Spanish database for pharmacoepidemiological research in primary care (BIFAP) of the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS) was used. A total of 15,212 subjects diagnosed with dementia of the Alzheimer type and 62,397 controls were identified. Exposure was retrieved retrospectively with a 3-year lag time before the index date. Adjusted odd ratios (OR) were calculated.

RESULTS

Benzodiazepines use increased the risk of suffering Alzheimer's disease (OR=1.05, 95% CI, 1.01-1.10). No statistical differences were shown between short-acting and long-acting drugs. The risk is more evident with longer exposure times.

CONCLUSIONS

There seems to be a weak association between benzodiazepine use and the development of dementia, the risk increases with greater exposure.