Is it possible to deprescribe benzodiazepine receptor agonists in older adults?

Aim: to analyze the viability and related factors for deprescribing benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZRA).Methods: this is a longitudinal, prospective, interventional study performed with older adults assisted at a geriatric psychiatry outpatient clinic; these were divided into two groups: BZRA us...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Güenter Dannebrock, Letícia, Engroff, Paula, Sgnaolin, Vanessa, de Paula Bueno, Isabela, Cataldo Neto, Alfredo
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:Brasil
Institución:Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS)
Repositorio:PAJAR - Pan American Journal of Aging Research
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ojs.revistaseletronicas.pucrs.br:article/45098
Acceso en línea:https://revistaseletronicas.pucrs.br/pajar/article/view/45098
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Deprescriptions
Receptors, GABA-A
Aged
deprescripciones
receptores de GABA-A
anciano
desprescrições
idoso
Descripción
Sumario:Aim: to analyze the viability and related factors for deprescribing benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZRA).Methods: this is a longitudinal, prospective, interventional study performed with older adults assisted at a geriatric psychiatry outpatient clinic; these were divided into two groups: BZRA users and non-users. The instruments used in this study were a general questionnaire, the Geriatric Depression Scale (short form), the Geriatric Anxiety Inventory, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.Results: we evaluated 74 patients, 40 (54.1%) of which were BZRA users and 34 (45.9%) were non-users, with an average age of 71.3 ± 7.5 years. Patients who used BZRA had a higher dropout rate of the deprescription process 26 (65%). Seven patients completely stopped using BZRAs (17.5%) and five reduced their use (12.5%). The mean scores for depression and anxiety symptoms were lower at the final assessment. As to sleep quality, BZRA users presented higher baseline values and both groups presented reductions in scores at the end of the treatment.Conclusion: deprescribing is viable and safe. However, there is resistance by both the patient and prescribers. The levels of anxiety, depression, and sleep quality improved after discontinuing BZRA.