The effect of benzodiazepine and nonbenzodiazepine prescriptions for diabetes mellitus type 2 in elderly T aiwanese with depressive symptoms

Background This study examined the relationship between depression, benzodiazepine ( BZD )/nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics (non‐ BZD ), and other risk factors in a national sample of T aiwan's elderly diabetic patients. Methods Data were drawn from the 2005 T aiwan N ational H ealth I nterview S urvey and adults aged 65 years and older. A total of 1331 subjects were included in this study. The C hinese version of C enter for E pidemiologic S tudies D epression S cale was used to evaluate patients' depression symptoms. Results The rates of depression in the diabetes mellitus ( DM ) and non‐ DM groups were 13.5% (39/288) and 9.8% (102/1043) and the average ages were 73.7 and 73.4 years, respectively. In multivariate regression, the odds ratio of depression was 1.66‐fold higher among BZD /non‐ BZD users (95% confidence interval: 1.10–2.51, model 2) than among those without BZD /non‐ BZD use. In addition, hyperlipidaemia, poor physical function, and antidepressant use were associated with a higher risk of depressive symptoms. Meanwhile, a monthly household income of NT$30 000–NT$49 999, exercise, and betel chewing were associated with a lower risk of depression. We performed an additional logistic analysis for which the odds ratio of depression significantly increased to 1.52 in non‐ DM elderly patients (95% confidence interval: 1.06–2.19) who were prescribed BZD /non‐ BZD . In contrast, there was no significant difference in the odds ratio of depression in the DM elderly regardless of BZD /non‐ BZD use, although there was a slight tendency for depression among those who used BZD /non‐ BZD . Conclusion Depression in non‐ DM Taiwanese elderly patients was found to be associated with BZD /non‐ BZD use, whereas depression in DM Taiwanese elderly patients was not found to be associated with BZD /non‐ BZD use.