[Profiles of regular consumers of benzodiazepines in a family practice].

OBJECTIVE

To describe the profile of regular users of benzodiazepines in a general practice.

DESIGN

Case-control study.

SETTING

A duo general practice in Nijmegen.

METHOD: Of all regular users of benzodiazepines in a general practice, socio-demographic and morbidity data were collected and the use of benzodiazepines (duration, frequency, type of agent) was determined. By means of a semi-structured interview, the users' experiences and opinions were inventoried. Psychological and physical functioning were determined using the symptom checklist (SCL-90).

RESULTS

In the group of 99 users (3.1% of the practice population), 53 (1.6% of the practice population) used benzodiazepines every day and had done so for over one year. Most were women over 65 years of age, living alone and with a low educational level. Over 25% were patients with psychiatric/psychogeriatric disorders. Users had frequent chronic diseases, particularly articular disorders and chronic skin diseases. The SCL-90 results indicated a high degree of psychoneuroticism. Most patients felt the medication enabled them to cope better with difficult situations, and the side effects reported were limited in number and severity.

CONCLUSION

Users of benzodiazepines were in a high-risk position, both socio-economically and as regards health and mental well-being. Given a strict prescribing policy, the group of chronic users of benzodiazepines was small and easy to control in this practice.