Initiation of High‐Potency Benzodiazepine Prescriptions Among Survivors of Severe Trauma
Authors' conclusion
Trauma exposure independently predicted initiation of high-potency BZDs among previously BZD-naive patients. Psychiatric comorbidity, substance use, and greater injury severity were important risk factors.
Study context
- Population
- BZD-naive survivors of severe trauma, Sweden
- Participants
- 12,206 vs 66,801
- Exposure
- Trauma exposure vs matched controls; new BZD use vs no new BZD use within the trauma cohort
- Trauman = 12,206
- Controlsn = 66,801reference
- Outcome
- New initiation of high-potency BZD prescriptions (at least one prescription filled)
- Follow-up
- Within 6 months after trauma
Methodological detailsmatched controls, regional trauma registry linked to Swedish national health registers
- Matched controls
- Regional trauma registry linked to Swedish national health registers
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
New high-potency BZD initiation
- Trauma exposure independently associated with new high-potency BZD use
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Mortality, new BZD use vs no new use (trauma cohort) · 6-18 months
| aHR (95% CI) | P value | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| New BZD use | 2.9 (2.0–4.2) | P < 0.001 | |
| 0.20.5125Adjusted hazard ratio (log scale) |
Risk factors for BZD initiation within the trauma cohort
- Older age, psychiatric comorbidity, substance abuse, pre-traumatic opioid or sedative-hypnotic drug use, penetrating trauma, higher injury severity
Original publication
Initiation of High‐Potency Benzodiazepine Prescriptions Among Survivors of Severe Trauma. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. Published 30 April 2026. doi:10.
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