RESULTS BZDs are ineffective for PTSD treatment and prevention , and risks associated with their use tend to outweigh potential short-term benefits .
In addition to adverse effects in general population s , BZDs are associated with specific problems in patients with PTSD : worse overall severity , significantly increased risk of developing PTSD with use after recent trauma , worse psychotherapy outcomes , aggression , depression , and substance use .
The results of this systematic review suggest that BZDs should be considered relatively contraindicated for patients with PTSD or recent trauma .
OBJECTIVE Although benzodiazepines ( BZDs ) are commonly used in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) , no systematic review or meta- analysis has specifically examined this treatment .
The goal of this study was to analyze and summarize evidence concerning the efficacy of BZDs in treating PTSD .
Risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms following critical illness requiring mechanical ventilation: a prospective cohort study
Introduction Post-traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) has been identified in a significant portion of intensive care unit ( ICU ) survivors . We sought to identify factors associated with PTSD symptoms in patients following critical illness requiring mechanical ventilation . Methods Forty-three patients who were mechanically ventilated in the medical and coronary ICUs of a university-based medical center were prospect ively followed during their ICU admission for delirium with the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU . Additionally , demographic data were obtained and severity of illness was measured with the APACHE II ( Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II ) score . Six months after discharge , patients were screened for PTSD symptoms by means of the Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome 10- Questions Inventory ( PTSS-10 ) . Multiple linear regression was used to assess the association of potential risk factors with PTSS-10 scores . Results At follow-up , six ( 14 % ) patients had high levels of PTSD symptoms . On multivariable analysis , women had higher PTSS-10 scores than men by a margin of 7.36 points ( 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] 1.62 to 13.11 ; p = 0.02 ) . Also , high levels of PTSD symptoms were less likely to occur in older patients , with symptoms declining after age 50 ( p = 0.04 ) . Finally , although causation can not be assumed , the total dose of lorazepam received during the ICU stay was associated with PTSD symptoms ; for every 10-mg increase in cumulative lorazepam dose , PTSS-10 score increased by 0.39 ( 95 % CI 0.17 to 0.61 ; p = 0.04 ) . No significant relationship was noted between severity of illness and PTSD symptoms or duration of delirium and PTSD symptoms . Conclusion High levels of PTSD symptoms occurred in 14 % of patients six months following critical illness necessitating mechanical ventilation , and these symptoms were most likely to occur in female patients and those receiving high doses of lorazepam . High levels of PTSD symptoms were less likely to occur in older patients
RESULTS BZDs are ineffective for PTSD treatment and prevention , and risks associated with their use tend to outweigh potential short-term benefits .
In addition to adverse effects in general population s , BZDs are associated with specific problems in patients with PTSD : worse overall severity , significantly increased risk of developing PTSD with use after recent trauma , worse psychotherapy outcomes , aggression , depression , and substance use .
The results of this systematic review suggest that BZDs should be considered relatively contraindicated for patients with PTSD or recent trauma .
OBJECTIVE Although benzodiazepines ( BZDs ) are commonly used in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) , no systematic review or meta- analysis has specifically examined this treatment .
The goal of this study was to analyze and summarize evidence concerning the efficacy of BZDs in treating PTSD .