Use of non-benzodiazepine hypnotics is associated with decreased risk of coronary artery disease

Abstract

Background It has been reported that the use of benzodiazepines (BDZs) is associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, it is still unclear whether or not non-BDZs use has the same adverse effect on the cardiovascular system. Methods We conducted a hospital-based case-control study with 864 CAD patients and 1,008 controls to explore the association between non-BDZs use and CAD risk in Chinese Han population. Results Non-BDZs use was found to be associated with a decreased risk of CAD (adjusted odds ratio, OR= 0.73; 95% confidence interval, CI=0.54-0.98). Adjusted ORs were 0.91 (95% CI=0.63-1.32) for using non-BDZs 0 to 5 years, 0.64 (95% CI=0.38-0.97) for 5 to 10 years, and 0.42 (95% CI=0.18-0.85) for >10 years. The risk of CAD tended to decrease with an increase in duration of non-BDZs use (p<0.001 for trend). Conclusion Our study demonstrates that non-BDZs use is associated with a decreased risk of CAD. The potential cardiovascular protective mechanisms of non-BDZs should be investigated further. © 2012 The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine.