Long-term effects of benzodiazepine discontinuation among older adults: potential improvements on depressive symptoms.

Objectives: To examine how change in benzodiazepine (BZD) use is linked to changes in depressive symptoms intensity, worry intensity, and sleep quality over 16 months.

Method: Data come from a larger randomised controlled trial (RCT) named the 'Programme d'Aide du Succès au SEvrage (PASSE-60+)' study (NCT02281175). Seventy-three participants age 60 years and older took part in a 4-month discontinuation programme and were assessed four times over 16 months. Change in BZD use was defined as the difference in reported mg/day between two assessments. Control variables were RCT discontinuation group; BZD use at T1; and either depressive symptoms, worry intensity, or sleep quality at T1. Hierarchical multiple regressions were used to analyse data.

Results: In the short term, right after the discontinuation programme, sleep quality worsened with lower BZD use. This link was no longer significant at the 3- and 12-month follow-up. In the long term, depressive symptoms lowered with lower BZD use. No change was found in worry intensity in relation to BZD use at all measurement times.

Conclusion: Discontinuation may improve depressive symptoms. Our study also questions the long-term effectiveness of BZD use, since long-term discontinuation was not linked with change in worry intensity and sleep quality.