Analysis of Factors Associated with Benzodiazepine Dependence in Tacna

Abstract

Objective: To determine the relationship between sociodemographic factors, medication regimen, morbidity, and dosage regimen and the likelihood of developing benzodiazepine dependence in patients treated at a public hospital in Tacna in 2024. Material and methods: A quantitative, observational study was conducted, including 70 patients (30 men, 40 women) with a mean age of 38.37 ± 13.59 years, receiving outpatient treatment with benzodiazepines. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between predictor variables and dependence. The variables analyzed were sex, age, marital status, years of treatment, anxiety diagnosis, and history of falls. Results: A significant association was found between benzodiazepine dependence and sociodemographic factors, especially being female (B = -1.768; p = 0.015) and older age (B = 0.188; p = 0.001). Furthermore, treatment duration (B = 0.602; = 0.001) and anxiety diagnosis (B = 2.015; p 0.028) increased the risk of dependence. Having experienced falls (B = 1.314; p = 0.028) was also significantly associated with the likelihood of developing dependence. Conclusion: The findings suggest that both sociodemographic and treatment-related factors are significantly associated with the development of benzodiazepine dependence in the study population.