Benzodiazepine prescribing patterns in a high-prescribing Scandinavian community

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Public Health
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Significant variations in benzodiazepine consumption exist between Scandinavian countries.
• Helsingborg, Sweden, exhibits notably high benzodiazepine sales, approaching Danish levels.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the reasons behind high benzodiazepine consumption in Helsingborg.
• To compare psychiatric morbidity and psychosocial factors in Helsingborg with neighboring cities.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of benzodiazepine sales statistics and prescription data in Helsingborg.
• Comparison of psychiatric morbidity, suicide rates, unemployment, and social isolation data with regional averages.

Main Results:

• Benzodiazepine consumption was elevated across all age groups in Helsingborg.
• Higher rates of psychiatric morbidity, suicide, alcohol-related diseases, unemployment, and social isolation were observed.
• A small percentage of prescribers (less than 5%) accounted for over 30% of all benzodiazepine prescriptions.

Conclusions:

• Elevated benzodiazepine usage in Helsingborg is associated with higher psychiatric morbidity and psychosocial problems.
• Deviant prescribing habits among a minority of physicians significantly contribute to high benzodiazepine consumption.