Benzodiazepine Addiction and Suicidal Risk in the Elderly
Abstract
Introduction Prolonged benzodiazepine (BZD) use in elderly individuals has been associated with an increased risk of suicide. Objectives This study aimed to investigate the relationship between BZD addiction and suicidal risk in older adults. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients aged 65 years and older attending outpatient psychiatric consultations. Data collected included benzodiazepine use and detailed assessment of suicidal history. Suicidal risk was assessed using the Ducher Suicidal Risk Scale, and benzodiazepine dependence was evaluated with the Benzodiazepine Attachment Scale (ECAB). Results Seventy-three patients were included (male/female ratio = 1.08). Among the 51 patients who used benzodiazepines, 41 (80%) met the criteria for dependence. Nearly half of the patients (49%) reported a history of suicide attempts, with an average of 1.86 attempts (range: 1–4) and a mean interval of 24.9 years since the last episode (range: 2–43). Most attempts (58%) were described as impulsive rather than premeditated. The most frequently reported motives were negative emotions (22%), family conflicts (19%), delusional ideas (17%), and hallucinations (11%). The most common method was intentional drug ingestion (28%), followed by strangulation (17%) and defenestration (17%); anxiolytics were involved in 60% of drug ingestions. In 86% of cases, the act occurred when the patient was alone, most often at home (67%), predominantly during nighttime hours…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a cross-sectional, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause. Reported size: 51 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- The neurocircuitry of addiction: an overview
- Gender Differences in Human Brain: A Review
- Stratified medicine for mental disorders
- The neurobiology of drug addiction: cross-species insights into the dysfunction and recovery of the prefrontal cortex
- Annual Research Review: DNA methylation as a mediator in the association between risk exposure and child and adolescent psychopathology
- Schizophrenia: The new etiological synthesis
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.