DSM-III-R co-morbidity in benzodiazepine dependence.

Abstract

UNLABELLED:

AIM, SAMPLE AND MEASURES: Co-morbidity has been shown to influence the clinical course of mental disorders. This paper describes DSM-III-R 1-month co-morbidity across axes I, II and III in a sample of 153 benzodiazepine dependents. All patients were evaluated through several in-depth clinical interviews across all five DSM-III-R axes.

RESULTS:

Extensive co-morbidity existed across three DSM-III-R axes. All patients had at least one diagnosis in axis I; 81 (52.9%) in axis II and 50 (32.7%) in axis III. The most prevalent diagnoses were: insomnia, anxiety disorders and affective disorders in axis I; obsessive-compulsive, histrionic and dependent personality disorders in axis II and rheumatological, neurological and cardiovascular disorders in axis III.

CONCLUSIONS:

There were no cases of benzodiazepine dependence appearing alone. There were associations within and between axes, suggesting potential predisposing factors and a sequential model for benzodiazepine dependence is proposed. The findings reinforce the need for exhaustive diagnostic evaluation of patients prior to prescribing benzodiazepine.

• Authors: H Martínez-Cano, M de Iceta Ibáñez de Gauna, A Vela-Bueno, H U Wittchen
• Journal: Addiction (Abingdon, England) (Addiction) Vol. 94 Issue 1 Pg. 97-107 (Jan 1999) ISSN: 0965-2140 [Print] England
• PMID: 10665101 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Benzodiazepines

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Anxiety Disorders (complications, diagnosis)
• Benzodiazepines
• Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Psychotic Disorders (complications, diagnosis)
• Risk Factors
• Sleep Wake Disorders (complications, diagnosis)
• Somatoform Disorders (complications, diagnosis)
• Substance Withdrawal Syndrome (complications, diagnosis)
• Substance-Related Disorders (complications, diagnosis)