Short- and long-term use of benzodiazepines in patients with generalized anxiety disorder : review of guidelines / Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health, author, issuing body.

Series:

Rapid response report (Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health)

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Anxiety--Treatment.

Anxiety.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (29 pages) : illustrations.

Place of Publication:

Ottawa : Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health, 2014.

Summary:

The mainstay of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) treatment involves pharmacologic treatment but can also consist of psychological treatment (i.e. cognitive behavioural therapy). First-line pharmacological treatment involves either the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or the selective norepinephrine/noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). While these are the most effective treatments, they can produce adverse events and they also have a slower onset of action, during which there may be an increase in anxiety. Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are a class of drug that is presumed to indirectly promote gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) activity and rapidly control the core symptoms associated with GAD. They have been historically effective when used in the short-term treatment of GAD but have to be used with caution due to their adverse effect profile such as drowsiness, falls, confusion, impairment of memory, and incoordination (which can be particularly problematic in the elderly), their tendency for dependence, and potential for substance abuse. For these reasons and to determine their appropriate use, this report will review the evidence for the short- and long-term use of BZDs for the treatment of GAD.

Contents:

CONTEXT AND POLICY ISSUES

RESEARCH QUESTION

KEY FINDINGS

METHODS

Literature Search Strategy

Selection Criteria and Methods

Exclusion Criteria

Critical Appraisal of Individual Studies

SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE

Quantity of Research Available

Summary of Study Characteristics

Summary of Critical Appraisal

Summary of Findings

Limitations

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR DECISION OR POLICY MAKING

REFERENCES

APPENDIX 1 Selection of Included Studies

APPENDIX 2 Additional Articles of Potential Interest

APPENDIX 3 Characteristics of Included Systematic Reviews

APPENDIX 4 Summary of Clinical Findings from Systematic Reviews

APPENDIX 5 Summary of Guideline Evidence Levels and Strength of Recommendations

APPENDIX 6 Guidelines and Recommendations for Benzodiazepine Treatment in GAD

APPENDIX 7 Summary of Critical Appraisal

APPENDIX 8 Recommendations and Important Notes and Advice Reported in the Evidence-Based Guidelines.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.