Benzodiazepine Usage, Healthcare Resource Utilization, and Costs Among Older Adults Treated with Common Insomnia Medications: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Background: Benzodiazepines are commonly prescribed for insomnia management but are often associated with negative safety outcomes such as falls and abuse, particularly among older adults. Objective: The purpose of this real-world study was to compare the impact of benzodiazepines, low-dose trazodone, and zolpidem immediate release (IR) on healthcare resource utilization (HCRU), and costs among older adults (age ≥ 65 years) with insomnia in the US. Methods: Using the IBM MarketScan Medicare Supplemental Database, older adults with >1 physician-assigned diagnosis of insomnia and treated with benzodiazepines were matched 1:1 on age, sex, and index-date to individuals treated with trazodone, and separately matched 1:1 on age and sex, to individuals treated with zolpidem immediate release (IR). Between-groups differences were analyzed using general linear models (GLMs) that controlled for multiple confounders. Results: Significant between-groups differences in HCRU and costs were observed such that relative to zolpidem IR and separately relative to low-dose trazodone, benzodiazepines were consistently associated with worsened outcomes. Conclusion: These findings build upon and extend prior knowledge on the negative impact of benzodiazepines and suggest directions for future research.