[Use of anxiolytic agents in general practice during a 3-year period. A retrospective study from a 2-man rural...

In a rural general practice with two doctors and 3.671 patients and employing a practice data system (APEX), a retrospective review was undertaken of the anxiolytic drugs (ATC gr NO5B) prescribed. A total of 376 persons received 3,556 prescriptions for a total of 121,111 DDD (Defined Daily Doses). Forty of these patients (approximately 10%) received half of the medicine involved and half of the patients received 5% of the medicine. 68% of the prescriptions were renewals without contact between doctor and patient. A total of 85 new users was observed and the number of new users/annum decreased significantly during the period. One hundred and fifty-two patients consumed < or = 50 DDD during the entire three-year period (short term users) while 168 consumed > 50 DDD during one or more years (long term users). The long term users received anxiolytic drugs more frequently on account of mental illness (46%) than did the short term users (12%). Long term users consulted the doctor twice as frequently and were admitted to psychiatric departments six times as frequently during the period. One fourth of the long term users received disability pensions and one fourth had now or had previous alcohol problems.