A decade of Benzodiazepine and Z-drug use in Hong Kong: a longitudinal study

作者：Kyung Jin Lee, Yue Wei, Siu Kau Leung, Caige Huang, Hei Hang Edmund Yiu, Eunice Kehui Deng, David Castle, Simon S. Y. Lui, Vincent K.C. Wong, Ian Chi Kei Wong, Esther W. Chan · 发表于：The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1016/j.lanwpc.2025.101591 · 被引用次数：6 · 研究领域：Sleep and related disorders、Sleep and Wakefulness Research、Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue

Background: Concerns are growing about the long-term use of benzodiazepines (BZDs) and non-benzodiazepines (Z-drugs) due to adverse effects such as drug tolerance, dependence, cognitive dysfunction, and falls, particularly in the elderly. This study aims to understand thorough prescribing patterns of BZDs and Z-drugs across age groups in clinical settings of Hong Kong, especially the long-term prescriptions. Methods: Using territory-wide electronic health record data from Hong Kong (2014-2023), we analysed the prevalence, incidence, and duration of BZD and Z-drug prescriptions in adults. Long-term use was defined as prescriptions exceeding 90 days. Joinpoint regression models assessed trend changes, focusing on four age groups: 18-25, 26-49, 50-64, and ≥65. Psychiatric diagnoses within 180 days before and after treatment initiation were also evaluated. Findings: Patients with BZD and Z-drug prescribing increased from 2014 to 2023, with an average annual percentage change (AAPC) of 3.44 [95% CI: 3.26-3.61] in prevalence and 1.51 [0.64-2.45] in incidence. Trends varied by age: the sharpest increases were observed in young adults aged 18-25 (prevalence AAPC: 9.43 [8.36-10.51]; incidence AAPC: 7.56 [6.19-8.89]), whereas the incidence in those aged ≥65 declined after 2019, although it remained the highest. Prevalence of patients with long-term prescribing rose consistently, particularly in young adults (BZD AAPC: 13.43 [11.98-14.62]; Z-drug AAPC: 12.88 [7.85-18.24]). Depression an...