Study, Aug/17: "New benzodiazepine & Z-hypnotic users and disability pension..."

[[La...]]

The full title of this Norwegian study is "New benzodiazepine and Z-hypnotic users and disability pension: an eight-year nationwide observational follow-up study".

 

Abstract:

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28812400 

 

Full article:

 

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02813432.2017.1358436 

[[Te...]]

Lapis, throughout what time period were these people followed? Maybe I didn't see it.

[[Fa...]]

Thanks a lot, Lapis, for sharing this article. It certainly improves awareness of the medical community on the devastating consequences of long-term benzos use.

I did not see the full paper yet but I think they adjusted for comorbidities.

[[La...]]

Lapis, throughout what time period were these people followed? Maybe I didn't see it.

 

Hi Terry,

I just found the full article and posted it above. It looks like the study period was 2004-2013.

[[Te...]]

Oh, thanks so much, Lapis!! I'm really intrigued by this. It's so nice to see a study that is comprehensive and has been done over a long period of time. A good find!!

[[La...]]

You're welcome, Terry. I found this quote particularly interesting:

 

"Comparing first benzodiazepine redeemed; clonazepam initiators were stronger associated with becoming disability pensioners than diazepam initiators were (HR = 2.22, CI: 1.81-2.71). No differences between other benzodiazepine users were found."

 

Clonazepam really is the worst. We've seen it around here, and this study seems to show the same. I'm living proof that it's a beast. I haven't read through the full study -- just enough to find those dates for you -- but I'll see if there's more on the topic of clonazepam.

 

I keep thinking, though, that with all of the info that we already know about benzos, why do they keep prescribing this stuff to so many people? Has nothing been learned? I know, I know....we keep asking these questions, and we're all in agreement about it. I really do hope that someone is actually reading the studies and changing prescribing patterns as a result of what has been learned from them. It's a crime to ignore the information.

[[Te...]]

I read that, too, Lapis, and I agree that K is really the worst. What I want to know is why doctors seem to prefer K to Valium as a crossover drug. That, I believe, is absolutely foolhardy. It seems that doctors in the U.S. are doing this more and more.

 

This is a very progressive study. They tracked these people for eight years. I very much liked this comment: "It is important for these persons to be met with understanding and sympathy from their doctors. Our findings indicate that doctors should be especially aware of these patients and be careful with prescribing potentially addictive medicines to this vulnerable group."

This is outstanding!!! The Norwegians have their collective heads in exactly the right place. For such a study to be done with NO interference by doctors supporting big pharma is HUGE. And, as you know, so often doctors want to throw another pill in the mix to "help" relieve symptoms: Z-pills, ADs, antipsychotics, etc.

 

It's definitely a step in the right direction. I only wish the U.S. would be up to date. We're way back in the Dark Ages when it comes to these drugs.

[[Ph...]]

I read that, too, Lapis, and I agree that K is really the worst. What I want to know is why doctors seem to prefer K to Valium as a crossover drug. That, I believe, is absolutely foolhardy. It seems that doctors in the U.S. are doing this more and more.

 

This is a very progressive study. They tracked these people for eight years. I very much liked this comment: "It is important for these persons to be met with understanding and sympathy from their doctors. Our findings indicate that doctors should be especially aware of these patients and be careful with prescribing potentially addictive medicines to this vulnerable group."

This is outstanding!!! The Norwegians have their collective heads in exactly the right place. For such a study to be done with NO interference by doctors supporting big pharma is HUGE. And, as you know, so often doctors want to throw another pill in the mix to "help" relieve symptoms: Z-pills, ADs, antipsychotics, etc.

 

It's definitely a step in the right direction. I only wish the U.S. would be up to date. We're way back in the Dark Ages when it comes to these drugs.

 

<<"The Norwegians have their collective heads in exactly the right place. For such a study to be done with NO interference by doctors supporting big pharma is HUGE.">>

 

Well said.  But it begs the question, why is this not on the front page of the Washington Post or New York Times?  Why is it not the lead story on any corporate news broadcast or website?  Gee, I wonder why....

[[La...]]

Well, there are so many studies coming out at any given time.  Why they would focus on this one as opposed to any other is up for discussion. Maybe a publicist is behind some of it. Maybe a journalist has a particular interest or reason for looking into a certain study. I expect that there's loads of competition for the attention of health writers at the NYTimes and the Washington Post -- and the larger media outlets here in Canada, for that matter.

[[Te...]]

Does big pharma donate to newspapers? Just wondering.

[[Ms...]]

That's about our estimate. 1 in 6 will become disabled.