Long-Term Benzodiazepine Use in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder in China

Purpose There have been no data about long‐term benzodiazepine (BZD) use and its correlates in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) in China. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of long‐term BZD use (more than three months) and its demographic and clinical correlates in Chinese patients with MDD. Design and Methods A total of 1,192 patients with MDD were examined in 10 mental health centers in China. Patients' socio‐demographic and clinical characteristics and prescriptions for psychotropic drugs were recorded using a standardized form. Findings A large portion of patients (36.2%) received long‐term BZD treatment. Univariate analyses revealed that long‐term BZD users were older, poorer, and had more impaired occupational functioning than patients not taking BZDs. Long‐term BZD users had fewer psychotic symptoms and took less antipsychotic drugs. In multivariate analyses, long‐term BZD use was independently associated with older age and more severe impaired occupational functioning; long‐term BZD users were less likely to receive antipsychotic medications and traditional antidepressants (tricyclic antidepressants, tetracyclic antidepressant, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors). Practice Implications Long‐term BZD use was common in patients with MDD in China. A host of demographic and clinical factors were independently associated with long‐term BZD use.