Association between benzodiazepines and related drug use and venous thromboembolism risk: A systematic review and...

Benzodiazepines and related drugs (BZDRs) are commonly prescribed for insomnia, anxiety, and other psychiatric disorders. However, the association between BZDR use and venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains controversial. This meta-analysis evaluated this association systematically. We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library from inception to February 2025 for relevant case-control and cohort studies. Random- or fixed-effect models were used to estimate the overall relative risk. Eight studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the analysis. BZDR exposure was associated with a significantly increased risk of VTE (OR 1.47, 95 % CI 1.19-1.7; p < 0.001; I² = 88 %; 8 studies with 10 estimates). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses revealed positive associations. Significant statistical and clinical heterogeneity was observed in the main and most subgroup analyses. These findings suggest an increased risk of VTE in BZDR users, emphasizing the need for careful consideration when prescribing BZDRs to patients at risk of VTE. Given the few studies included, well-designed prospective studies controlling for important confounders are needed to verify our findings.