Brief Report: A population-based study of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on benzodiazepine use among children and young adults

Report
par
Antoniou, Tony et al

Date de publication

2024

Géographie

Canada

Langue de la ressource

English

Texte disponible en version intégrale

Oui

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Oui

Évalué par des pairs

Yes

L’objectif

The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with increases in the prevalence of depression and anxiety among children and young adults. This study aims to determine whether the pandemic was associated with changes in prescription benzodiazepine use. 

Constatations/points à retenir

An immediate decline in benzodiazepine dispensing was found. Lower than expected benzodiazepine dispensing rates were observed each month of the pandemic from April 2020 onward, with relative percent differences ranging from − 7.4% (95% CI: -10.1% to – 4.7%) to -20.9% (95% CI: -23.2% to -18.6%). Results were generally similar in analyses stratified by sex, age, neighbourhood income quintile, and urban versus rural residence.

La conception ou méthodologie de recherche

A population-based study of benzodiazepine dispensing to children and young adults ≤ 24 years old between January 1, 2013, and June 30, 2022 was conducted. Structural break analyses was used to identify the pandemic month(s) when changes in prescription benzodiazepine dispensing occurred, and interrupted time series models to quantify changes in dispensing following the structural break and compare observed and expected benzodiazepine use. 

Mots clés

Benzodiazepines
Evidence base
Hesitancy of prescribers
Mental health
Youth