The impact of chronic benzodiazepine use on cognitive evolution in nursing home residents. (8th January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bourgeois, Jolyce; Elseviers, Monique M.; Van Bortel, Luc; Petrovic, Mirko; Vander Stichele, Robert H.
• Is Part Of: Human psychopharmacology. Volume 30:Number 2(2015)
• Page Start: 85
• Page End: 93
• Publication Date: 2015-01-08
• Subjects: Psychopharmacology -- Periodicals; Psychotropic drugs -- Periodicals; Psychopharmacology -- Periodicals; Psychotropic Drugs -- pharmacology -- Periodicals; 615.78
• DOI: 10.1002/hup.2456
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0885-6222

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="hup2456-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>Chronic use of benzodiazepines and Z‐drugs (BZD/Zs) has been linked to cognitive decline. In this one‐year prospective cohort study, we explored the impact of chronic BZD/Z use on cognitive decline compared to nonusers.</p> </sec> <sec id="hup2456-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>In cognitively capable BZD/Z users and nonusers in 10 Belgian nursing homes, we investigated cognition with the MiniMentalStateExamination(MMSE) at baseline and one year. A decrease of ≥4 points on the MMSE (clinically relevant decrease) was used in multiple logistic regression. We collected baseline demographics, functional, psychometric and social characteristics potentially influencing cognition.</p> </sec> <sec id="hup2456-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>In both the 131 BZD/Z users and 95 nonusers, the cognition decreased significantly over time, but without significant difference between the groups. Clinically relevant decrease was present in 34% BZD/Z users and 27% nonusers (NS). Controlled for age, gender, education and BZD/Z use, the significant risk factors for clinically relevant cognitive decline were depression, hearing and functional impairment. Frequent reading was associated with less MMSE decrease.</p> </sec> <sec id="hup2456-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <p>Our findings could not demonstrate with statistical significance that BZD/Z use was associated with fast cognitive decline. The risk factors for fast decline were depression, hearing and functional impairment, and the absence of a reading attitude. In addition, BZD/Z use and depression were associated, indicating a complex relationship. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.</p> </sec> </abstract>