EVIDENCE LIBRARY
STOPP/START Pharmacy Study Flagged Prolonged Benzodiazepine Treatment as Potentially Inappropriate
A screening flag identifies a question for clinical review rather than proving an adverse event.
A screening flag identifies a question for clinical review rather than proving an adverse event.
What the publication shows
The Bulgarian pharmacy-based study applied STOPP/START version-two criteria to older adults with cardiovascular disease. Six prolonged benzodiazepine-treatment instances appeared among identified potentially inappropriate medicines. The study also assessed omitted treatments and other prescribing problems.
Limits of the evidence
The criteria classify potential problems using available medication and clinical information. They do not establish actual drug injury, individualized negligence or the reason a clinician continued treatment. The pharmacy sample and questionnaire methods limit generalization.
Application to expert review
For an expert review, identify the indication, duration, prior taper attempts and patient response behind the flag. Distinguish a potentially inappropriate prescription from a demonstrated causal contribution to a fall or confusion. Abrupt discontinuation is not a logical remedy inferred from a screening classification.
Source and related reading
Source: Publication PMC9813954. The case-review applications above are interpretive analysis.
Related reading: Post-Stroke Sleep Study Found Prolonged Prescribing Without Sleep-Apnea Testing.