Gender differences in benzodiazepines prescription in old age patients

Objectives To assess the prescription of benzodiazepines (BZD) in elderly patients, and to explore any gender differences. Methods Six hundred and fifty-four patients (≥ 65) admitted in an emergency service of a general hospital due to a fall. BZD use information was collected (dose, half-life profile). Results BZD are significantly more prescribed to women (47.6%) than men (36.1%) (X 2  = 8.097, P  = 0.004). We conducted a logistic regression analysis using as dependent variable taking or not BZD and sex as the independent one, covariating the model by age. We noted that sex remains significant despite enter the age variable in the model (OR = 1.5, P  = 0.013). A total of 21.6% of patients consumed intermediate or long half-life BZDs, appearing a greater tendency to prescribe such BZD to women (X 2  = 3.606, P  = 0.058). In the 58.0% of prescriptions, prescribed dose was higher than the recommended for the elderly. The percentage is significantly higher for men (70.0%) than women (53.1%). Furthermore, a total of 54 prescriptions (15.8%) were even higher than the recommended adult dose, with no significant differences between men and women. Conclusions We found evidence of a higher prescription of BZD in women independently of age. Despite not being recommended, prescription of intermediate or long half-life BZD continues, in a slightly higher manner in women. BZD are prescribed above the recommended dose for elderly in a large number of patients, especially in men. A considerable proportion of elderly patients (15.8%) consume BZD doses even higher than the recommended for adults.