O perfil de idosos em uso de benzodiazepínicos de uma equipe de atenção primária à saúde

Abstract

Despite recommendations against the prolonged use of benzodiazepines, studies indicate that its use is inappropriate for this time especially for the elderly, and primary care teams primarily responsible for access to medicines. This study aimed to analyze the profile of the elderly users of benzodiazepines in a Family Health Team and factors associated with their use. We conducted a secondary analysis of data obtained through the Health Management System in Network of Municipal Health Secretariat of Belo Horizonte to all elderly residents of the area covered by the team and who were using benzodiazepines. Descriptive statistics were presented as percentages of their total for categorical variables. Of 458 elderly people assisted by the team, 40 were using benzodiazepines (8.47%), and most women (72.5%). Most users were already retired (67.5%), the predominant activities of stay-athome (47.5%), followed by domestic (15%) before retirement. As for education and income, most had attended some schooling (65%) and received up to three minimum wages (77.5%). Benzodiazepines were used more diazepam (50%) and clonazepam (35%), followed by other classes (15%). According to the time of use, 5% used less than one year, 42.5% used up to 5 years, 32.5% up to 10 years and 20% for more than 10 years. Anxiety (45%) and insomnia (42%) were the two main indications reported. The initial prescribers were mostly medical (45%) and psychiatry (42.5%), and the family doctor and community prescribers current 97.5%, with an attempted withdrawal in 62.5% of users. Of users, 47.5% had two or more co-morbidities and 60% used two or more other classes of drugs. Benzodiazepines continue to be used by the elderly in long term, including a predominance of drugs long term. Usually the drug had been initiated by a physician or psychiatrist and is maintained by the family doctor, who found failure in the withdrawal. The combined use of benzodiazepines and two or more drugs had a high prevalence, characterizing a situation of risk, which deserves attention as a public health problem.