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Engagement in leisure activities and benzodiazepine use in a French community‐dwelling elderly population
Author(s) -
Bazin Fabienne,
Noize Pernelle,
Dartigues JeanFrançois,
Ritchie Karen Anne,
Tavernier Beatrice,
Moore Nicholas,
Pariente Antoine,
FourrierReglat Annie
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.2773
Subject(s) - benzodiazepine , gerontology , leisure activity , population , leisure time , psychology , medicine , physical activity , environmental health , physical medicine and rehabilitation , social psychology , receptor
Objective The prevalence of benzodiazepine use among community‐dwelling older persons varies between 10% and 30%. The aim of this study was to explore the association between leisure activities and the use of benzodiazepine among older persons living at home. Methods The study population included 4848 persons aged 65 years and over living in either of two French cities. Information was collected from a questionnaire administered to the respondents by trained psychologists during face‐to‐face interviews at home and from a self‐administered questionnaire. Baseline examination included socio‐demographic characteristics, drug use and leisure activities. We classified as benzodiazepine users subjects who reported use of at least one benzodiazepine during the month preceding the interview. The association between the use of benzodiazepine and leisure activities was assessed by logistic regression adjusted on known potential confounders. Results More than 18% of participants reported use of at least one benzodiazepine. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) of benzodiazepine use associated with no or lower participation versus participation in the following activities were as follows: OR = 1.31 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09 to 1.58) for mental activity; OR = 1.50 (CI: 1.12 to 2.03) for physical activity; OR = 1.28 (CI: 1.05 to 1.55) for productive activity and OR = 0.82 (CI: 0.69 to 0.97) for recreational activity. Conclusion Low engagement in stimulating activities and high engagement in sedentary activities were associated with recent benzodiazepine use. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.