The Frequency of Benzodiazepine Use in the Isparta Province

Objective: In the present study, we aimed to determine the frequency of benzodiazepine prescriptions to patients with psychiatric disorders in Isparta Province, Turkey.

Methods: The data was collected retrospectively from records of controlled drugs of Isparta Province in 2011. A total of 11,317 benzodiazepine prescriptions for any kind of psychiatric disorder, written for patients from January 2011 through December 2011 were included. Prescriptions for diagnoses other than psychiatric disorders were excluded.

Results: In Isparta Province, one year frequency of benzodiazepine use at least one time was 2.06% (2.58% for females and 1.53% for males). The number for patients aged 65 years or older was found to be 3.92%. Benzodiazepines were prescribed mostly by general practitioners (39.2%), psychiatrists (33.4%), and neurologists (19.2%). The most frequently prescribed benzodiazepines were alprazolam (76.4%), clonazepam (11.4% ), and diazepam (6.8%).

Conclusion: The frequency of benzodiazepine use in Isparta Province was lower than that found in other study results. It appears that official control of benzodiazepine prescriptions in Turkey leads to lower rates of benzodiazepine use. Also the lower rate of benzodiazepine use is considered to be associated with the low preference of benzodiazepines by physicians and the unwillingness of the patients to use benzodiazepine. This study is the first to investigate the frequency of benzodiazepine use in a Turkish province, and our findings should to be supported by further studies.