Work

Benzodiazepines and the Risk of All-cause Mortality in Older Patients

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: Population-based studies have suggested that benzodiazepines (BZDs) are associated with an over 3-time increased mortality risk in adults, which may be explained by residual confounding. We assessed the mortality risk associated with BZD initiation in older patients. From a US commercial insurance dataset, we identified BZD initiators ≥65 years between 2004–2013, and non-initiators with a medical visit ±14 days of the BZD start of corresponding initiators. To address confounding, a CFI was included in a 1:1 propensity score (PS) matched analysis together with demographic information. Mortality risk among BZD initiators vs. non-initiators was measured in an intention-to-treat analysis over 6 months. Among 254,764 patients [mean (SD) age=72 years (6.1)], the mortality rate was 87/1,000py for BZD initiators and 66/1000py for non-initiators [Cox HR=1.31 (95% CI=1.25–1.37)]. The HR moved to 1.02 (0.96–1.04) among 217,098 PS-matched patients, suggesting no increased mortality risk associated with BZDs in older adults after accounting for confounding.

Source: Innovation in Aging

DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.3178

Authors: E Patorno, R J Glynn, R Levin, K F Huybrechts

Institutions: Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard University

Language: English

Topic: Pharmaceutical Practices and Patient Outcomes

Subfield: Geriatrics and Gerontology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,977