Global prevalence and patterns of benzodiazepine use among adolescents and young adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
María José Ortega-Susín, Teresa Pérez, Dolores Remedios Serrano et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesised observational studies of benzodiazepine use among adolescents and young adults aged 16–30 years. Fifteen studies involving 7,235,912 participants were included. The pooled overall prevalence was 4.4% (95% CI: 1.8 to 8.2%). Estimates varied by type of use: mixed medical/non-medical use was highest, followed by medical use and misuse. Female sex, psychiatric comorbidity, and polydrug use were identified as key correlates. The authors also found evidence that prevalence estimates differed by study size, with small studies reporting higher estimates than medium-sized studies.
Key findings
- Pooled overall benzodiazepine-use prevalence was 4.4% (95% CI: 1.8 to 8.2%) across 15 studies.
- Prevalence estimates were 5.9% for mixed medical/non-medical use, 3.6% for medical use, and 3.3% for misuse.
- Small studies reported higher prevalence estimates than medium-sized studies (p = 0.012).
- Key correlates included female sex, psychiatric comorbidity (ADHD, depression), and polydrug use.
Why it matters
The pooled estimate indicates that benzodiazepine exposure is a relevant issue in this age group, while variation across settings and measurement approaches cautions against treating one prevalence figure as universal. The reported correlates can help frame assessment of use in context. The findings also draw attention to prescribing and access pathways during a developmental period in which tailored guidance may be important.
What to keep in mind
The review included observational studies, and prevalence estimates showed heterogeneity associated with study size; the abstract does not report a pooled estimate for each geographic setting.