Use of Benzodiazepines in Patients With Bipolar Disorder

Abstract BackgroundBenzodiazepines (BZDs) are widely used in patients with bipolar disorder. The aim of this study was to determine chronic use of BZDs in patients with a first bipolar episode and the association between its use and cognition.MethodsA prospective longitudinal study was conducted in a cohort of 63 patients under 40 years old with a first manic or mixed episode. The percentage of patients taking BZDs in the baseline sample was evaluated at 6 months and for the next 3 years. Cognitive functioning was compared between patients with chronic BDZ use and those who did not use them. A linear regression model adjusted for potential confounding variables such as age and education level were used.ResultsJust over half the sample (55.6%; n = 35) took BZD at the start of the study. At 6 months, this percentage decreased to 34.9% (n = 22) and to 14.3% (n = 9) at 3 years of follow-up. Patients who took BZD chronically had worse outcomes in overall attention. These differences remained significant when controlled for the variables age and education level (B -0.462, p = 0.046, 95% CI: - 0.914 - 0.009).ConclusionsChronic administration of BZD occurs in a small percentage of bipolar patients at disease onset, and is associated with decreased attention. These side effects should be followed up.