Chronic Use of Benzodiazepine in Older Adults and Its Relationship with Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Harv Rev Psychiatry. 2025 Jan-Feb 01;33(1):1-7. doi: 10.1097/HRP.0000000000000414.

ABSTRACT

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: After participating in this CME activity, the psychiatrist should be better able to:• Explain current understanding of the relationship between chronic benzodiazepine use and dementia.

BACKGROUND: Chronic use of benzodiazepines (BZ) for managing conditions such as anxiety disorders, depression, sleep disorders, and other chronic diseases is widespread; yet, there is considerable controversy regarding its potential links to dementia risk. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to clarify this relationship by synthesizing and analyzing the available evidence to provide a clearer understanding of whether prolonged BZ use contributes to developing dementia.

METHODS: This study adheres to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and was registered with PROSPERO to ensure methodological rigor and transparency. The research strategy incorporated terms such as “benzodiazepines” OR “benzodiazepine” AND “cognitive dysfunction” OR “dementia” AND “adult” OR “elderly” OR “aged.” We included prospective and retrospective observational studies, as well as case-control studies. Data were meticulously extracted regarding chronic BZ use and dementia risk. Each study’s risk of bias was assessed to ensure result validity. Statistical analysis was performed using hazard ratios (HR) as the primary meta-analysis summary measure to provide a precise evaluation of associated risk.

RESULTS: Analysis of five studies showed that chronic BZ use was associated with a nonsignificant risk of dementia-without specification of cause-with an HR of 1.17 (95% CI: 0.96-1.43). Regarding Alzheimer’s disease, three studies found no significant association with an HR of 1.00 (95% CI: 0.87-1.15).

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings did not reach statistical significance, suggesting no strong link between chronic BZ use and dementia. Further research is needed to clarify this potential association.

PMID:39761441 | DOI:10.1097/HRP.0000000000000414