Benzodiazepines use and dependence in female patients with overactive bladder symptoms - prevalence and clinical correlations

Introduction GABAergic sedative-hypnotics, including benzodiazepines (BDZs) and Z-drugs, are some of the most used and misused psychotropic medications in developed countries. Growing evidence points to the role of psychiatric comorbidities in overactive bladder (OAB) and in urge urinary incontinence. The aim of the present study was to evaluate: 1) the prevalence of BDZs and/or Z-drugs use in female OAB patients, 2) the risk of dependence on BDZs and/or Z-drugs in female OAB patients, 3) the relationship between the use of BDZs and/or Z-drugs and the severity of OAB symptoms. Material and methods The prevalence of BDZs and/or Z-drugs use, the risk of dependence on BDZs and/or Z-drugs, and the relationship between the use of BDZs and/or Z-drugs and the severity of OAB symptoms was assessed in OAB patients recruited in the urogynecological outpatient clinic. Results A higher percentage of OAB patients confirmed the use of GABAergic sedative-hypnotics in the last 12 months as compared to the non-OAB outpatients presenting for routine gynecological prophylaxis. A larger number of OAB patients (5.6%) met the diagnosis of lifetime BDZ (and/or Z-drug) dependence as compared to the controls (0.9%). The use of sedative-hypnotics did not correlate with OAB symptoms. Conclusions Our results suggest that the use of and dependence on GABAergic sedative-hypnotics may be associated with the OAB diagnosis in female urogynecological patients.