Patterns in Outpatient Benzodiazepine Prescribing in the United States.

ABSTRACT: Importance:Benzodiazepines are implicated in a growing number of overdose-related deaths. Objectives:To quantify patterns in outpatient benzodiazepine prescribing and to compare them across specialties and indications. Design, Setting, and Participants:This serial cross-sectional study (January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2015) used nationally representative National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey data. The yearly population-based sample of outpatient visits among adults, ranging from 20 884 visits in 2003 (representing 737 million visits) to 24 273 visits in 2015 (representing 841 million visits) was analyzed. Prescribing patterns were examined by specialty and indication and used to calculate the annual coprescribing rate of benzodiazepines with other sedating medications. Data were an

SUBMITTER: Agarwal SD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6484578 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature