Key result
Anxiolytic-hypnotic drug use did not counter the increased mortality risk in elderly men with low psychosocial coping resources compared to men with high coping resources (RR 1.7; 95% CI 1.1-2.6).
Why the study?
Does the use of anxiolytic-hypnotic drugs reduce mortality in elderly men with low psychosocial coping resources?
Cohort (n=491)
No
Does the use of anxiolytic-hypnotic drugs reduce mortality in elderly men with low psychosocial coping resources?
Effect estimate: RR 1.7 (95% CI 1.1-2.6)
The use of anxiolytic-hypnotic drugs does not mitigate the increased mortality risk associated with low psychosocial coping resources in elderly men.
Does not support anxiolytic-hypnotic use to offset mortality risk from low coping in elderly men; leaves open whether psychosocial interventions improve survival.
OBJECTIVE: Insufficient coping with stress may lead to increased susceptibility for disease and death. Use of anxiolytic-hypnotic drugs has been suggested as a coping strategy, and some opinions have proposed their use as preventive medication. The aim of this study was to estimate if use of anxiolytic-hypnotic drugs counters the increased mortality observed in individuals lacking other coping strategies such as emotional support and social participation. METHODS: A population based cohort study with 10-year (1982/83-1993) survival analysis was performed in 491 men born in 1914, living in the Swedish city of Malmö. RESULTS: Compared with men with a high level of psychosocial coping resources who did not use anxiolytic-hypnotic drugs, men with a low level of psychosocial coping resources had a higher risk of death irrespective whether they used anxiolytic-hypnotic drugs, RR = 1.7 (95% CI 1.1-2.6) or not RR = 1.8 (95%: 1.3-2.5). CONCLUSION: Anxiolytic-hypnotic drugs do not seem to counter increased mortality in elderly men with low psychosocial coping resources.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Merlo et al. (2000) conducted a cohort in low psychosocial coping resources (n=491). anxiolytic-hypnotic drugs vs. no use of anxiolytic-hypnotic drugs was evaluated on mortality (RR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1-2.6). Anxiolytic-hypnotic drug use did not counter the increased mortality risk in elderly men with low psychosocial coping resources compared to men with high coping resources (RR 1.7; 95% CI 1.1-2.6).
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: