Suicidal ideation, death thoughts, and use of benzodiazepines in the elderly population

Résumé

Benzodiazepines have been associated with suicidal behaviour in older adults. This study aimed to examine the association between the use of benzodiazepines and suicidal ideation or death thoughts in 2,494 community-dwelling older adults who took part in an interview. Multivariate analysis showed that suicidal ideation or death thoughts were significantly associated with long-term use and a high dose of benzodiazepines. Other contributing factors were the presence of psychological distress symptoms, daily hassles' level, chronic illnesses, and marital status. Physicians should pay attention to the potential for inappropriate prescribing of psychotropic drugs in the elderly with suicide-related risk factors. QUÉBEC CANADA GENRE HOMME FEMME AÎNÉ IDÉATION BENZODIAZÉPINE PHARMACOTHÉRAPIE SOUTIEN-SOCIAL DÉTRESSE-PSYCHOLOGIQUE MALADIE-CHRONIQUE MÉDICAMENT