Effects of Benzodiazepine Exposure on Real-World Clinical Outcomes in Individuals at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background and hypothesis

Animal models indicate GABAergic dysfunction in the development of psychosis, and that benzodiazepine (BDZ) exposure can prevent the emergence of psychosis-relevant phenotypes. However, whether BDZ exposure influences real-world clinical outcomes in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis (CHR-P) is unknown.

Study design

This observational cohort study used electronic health record data from CHR-P individuals to investigate whether BDZ exposure (including hypnotics, eg, zopiclone) reduces the risk of developing psychosis and adverse clinical outcomes. Cox proportional-hazards models were employed in both the whole-unmatched sample, and a propensity score matched (PSM) subsample.

Study results

567 CHR-P individuals (306 male, mean[±SD]

SUBMITTER: Livingston NR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11908875 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature