A new study conducted by the University of Eastern Finland has revealed that the use of benzodiazepine and related drug increases mortality in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
The study highlights that the therapy is associated with a significant 40% rise in mortality rate among Alzheimer’s patients.
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The scientists found that the risk of death in a person was increased right from the initiation of benzodiazepine and related drug use.
According to the study, the increased risk of death might be a result of the adverse events caused by the use of the drugs, including fall-related injuries such as hip fractures, in addition to pneumonia and stroke.
The study was based on the register-based Medication Use and Alzheimer’s Disease (MEDALZ) cohort, which includes all patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in Finland between 2005 and 2011.
The patients who were administered benzodiazepines and related drugs previously were excluded from the current study, which involved a total of 10,380 Alzheimer’s disease patients who were new users of the drugs.
In spite of the fact that several treatment guidelines state that non-pharmacological options are the first-line treatment of anxiety, agitation and insomnia in people with dementia, benzodiazepines and related drugs are frequently used to treat these symptoms, according to a statement.
If the use of benzodiazepine and related drugs is necessary to treat a patient with Alzheimer’s disease, these treatments should be recommended for short-term use only.
The new results encourage increased consideration for benzodiazepine and related drug use in people with dementia.
