Thesis (M.A.)--University of Delaware, 2006. / Principal faculty advisor: Nancy Signorielli, Dept. of Communication. Includes bibliographical references.

Many studies have reported that women consume approximately twice the amount of psychotropic drugs as men. In an attempt to explain this ratio, a conceptual model of psychotropic drug was developed, focusing on questions of initial problem recognition and definition; problem-solving ability; and the perception of control. These factors were explored with 179 women chosen to reflect varying frequencies of drug use. In addition, patient-physician interaction was evaluated by psychiatrists' diagnostic and prescriptive reactions to differing patient attributes. / Multidimensional scaling interpretations across drug frequency groups indicated that external causal attribution and lack of control were concomitants of drug use. Deficient problem-solving, particularly at the definitional stage, accounted for 21% of drug use variance, discriminating 73% of drug users. Physicians were found to prescribe according to factors additional to diagnosis and symptomatology. This research was seen as providing theoretical coherence to the increasingly complex gestalt of drug use.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Toronto, 2006. / Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 44-06, page: 2503.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karolinska institutet, 2002. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin, 1954. / Typescript (carbon copy). eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [53]-[60]).

Pharmacological magnetic resonance imaging (phMRI) is the use of functional MRI techniques to elucidate the effects that psychotropic drugs have on neural activity within the brain; it is an emerging field of research that holds great potential for the investigation of drugs that act on the central nervous system by revealing the changes in neural activity that mediate observable changes in behavior, cognition, and perception. However, the realization of this potential is hampered by several unanswered questions: Are the MRI measurements reliable surrogates of changing neural activity in the presence of pharmacological agents? Is it relevant to investigate psychiatric phenomena such as reward or anxiolysis in anesthetized, rather than conscious animals? What are the methods that yield reproducible and meaningful results from phMRI experiments, and are they consistent in the investigations of different drugs? The research presented herein addresses many of these questions with the specific aims of 1) Developing pharmacological MRI methodologies that can be used in the conscious animal, 2) Validating these methodologies with the investigation of a non-stimulant, psychoactive compound, and 3) Applying these methodologies to the investigation of typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs, classes of compounds with unknown mechanisms of therapeutic action Building on recent developments in the field of functional MRI research, we developed new techniques that enable the investigator to measure localized changes in metabolism commensurate with changing neural activity. We tested the hypothesis that metabolic changes are a more reliable surrogate of changes in neural activity in response to a cocaine challenge, than changes observed in the blood-oxygen-level-dependent (BOLD) signal alone. We developed a system capable of multi-modal imaging in the conscious rat, and we tested the hypothesis that the conscious brain exhibits a markedly different response to systemic morphine challenge than the anesthetized brain. We identified and elucidated several fundamental limitations of the imaging and analysis protocols used in phMRI investigations, and developed new tools that enable the investigator to avoid common pitfalls. Finally, we applied these phMRI techniques to the investigation of neuroleptic compounds by asking the question: does treatment with typical or atypical antipsychotic drugs modulate the systems in the brain which are direct or indirect (i.e. downstream) substrates for a dopaminergic agonist? The execution of this research has generated several new tools for the neuroscience and drug discovery communities that can be used in neuropsychiatric investigations into the action of psychotropic drugs, while the results of this research provide evidence that supports several answers to the questions that currently limit the utility of phMRI investigations. Specifically, we observed that metabolic change can be measured to resolve discrepancies between anomalous BOLD signal changes and underlying changes in neural activity in the case of systemically administered cocaine. We found clear differences in the response to systemically administered morphine between conscious and anesthetized rats, and observed that only conscious animals exhibit a phMRI response that can be explained by the pharmacodynamics of morphine and corroborated by behavioral observations. We identified fundamental and drug-dependent limitations in the protocols used to perform phMRI investigations, and designed tools and alternate methods to facilitate protocol development. By applying these techniques to the investigation of neuroleptic compounds, we have gained a new perspective of the alterations in dopaminergic signaling induced by treatment with antipsychotic medications, and have found effects in many nuclei outside of the pathways that act as direct substrates for dopamine. A clearer picture of how neuroleptics alter the intercommunication of brain nuclei would be an invaluable resource for the classification of investigational antipsychotic drugs, and would provide the basis for future studies that examine the neuroplastic changes that confer therapeutic efficacy following chronic treatment with antipsychotic medications.

Introdução: Os Benzodiazepínicos estão entre as drogas mais prescritas no mundo. Possuem características ansiolíticas, hipnóticas, miorelaxantes e anticonvulsivantes. Estudos prévios evidenciam inadequações nas prescrições de benzodiazepínicos, como uso equivocado para quadros inespecíficos, tratamento prolongado e abuso por idosos. Benzodiazepínicos podem trazer sérios efeitos adversos, sobretudo em idosos, como sonolência diurna, deterioro da memória e funções cognitivas, desequilíbrio e quedas. Objetivos: Analisar a prevalência do uso de benzodiazepínicos nos pacientes do Centro de Atenção Psicossocial (CAPS) de Campo Bom-RS em um período de 24 meses (Junho de 2013 a Maio de 2015), faixa etária, frequência de dispensações, dosagens, CIDs e especialidades dos médicos prescritores; bem como possíveis relações com a função cognitiva, afetiva, e quedas em idosos. Métodos: Estudo transversal, com informações coletadas e tabuladas a partir dos prontuários e prescrições médicas do CAPS Campo Bom, bem como do seu sistema informatizado de gerenciamento (Software Multi 24 Horas). Foram obtidos dados como idade, gênero, identificação dos CIDs; bem como informações sobre prescrições de Benzodiazepínicos, como frequência, quantidade, tipo de medicamento, posologia, profissional prescritor e demais medicamentos utilizados. Critério de inclusão: utilização de qualquer benzodiazepínico disponível na rede SUS: Clonazepam 0,5mg, Clonazepam 2,5 mg/ml, Clonazepam 2mg e Diazepam 5mg. Foram aplicados os testes MEEM e GDS nos pacientes idosos, em entrevistas individuais, nas quais também se avaliou a escolaridade, ocorrência e frequência de quedas, além das comorbidades auto relatadas. Para construção do banco de dados foi utilizado o Software Microsoft® Office Excel® 2007, e para análise estatística o Software PASW V18 (SPSS®). Resultados: O número total de pacientes ativos identificados no CAPS foi de 855 indivíduos, sendo 543 (63,5%) mulheres e 84 idosos (9,8%). A prevalência de utilização de BZD nesta população representou 47,2% (n=404 indivíduos). Foram identificadas 12.680 prescrições médicas dispensadas e, deste total, a prevalência de prescrições de benzodiazepínicos foi de 21,7% (n=2.748). Dentre os pacientes que receberam BZD, 297 (73,5%) eram mulheres e 59 idosos (14,6%), dos quais 56 foram entrevistados. Dentre os idosos entrevistados, 42 (75,0%) possuíram significativa sintomatologia depressiva (GDS≥5) e 32 (57,1%) apresentaram duas ou mais quedas no período de 1 ano. Dezoito pacientes idosos demonstraram fazer uso de dois ou mais BZDs. Houve correlação linear negativa entre os escores do MEEM e do GDS (r = - ,416; p=,002). Houve também uma correlação linear negativa entre o escore do MEEM e número de quedas em idosos (r = -,327 p=,016). Conclusões: Os benzodiazepínicos corresponderam a 21,7 % do total de prescrições do CAPS e do total dos indivíduos 47,2% receberam benzodiazepínicos. Proporcionalmente aos homens, as mulheres tenderam a receber mais prescrições de benzodiazepínicos (p<.001). A prevalência de significativa sintomatologia depressiva nos idosos usuários do CAPS foi alta (75,0%), assim como a incidência de quedas, sendo que mais da metade dos idosos caiu 2 ou mais vezes no período. Identificou-se uma correlação linear negativa entre a função cognitiva como avaliada pelo MEEM e a sintomatologia depressiva avaliada pelo GDS; bem como houve uma correlação linear negativa entre o MEEM e o número de quedas em idosos. / Introduction: Benzodiazepines are among the most prescribed drugs in the world, they have characteristics such as anxiolytic, hypnotic, muscle relaxants and anticonvulsants. Studies have pointed out distortions in benzodiazepines’ prescriptions, such as misuse for unspecific cases, prolonged treatment and use by elderly. Such medications may cause serious damage, particularly in the elderly, and its continued use causes side effects such as daytime somnolence, imbalance, memory and cognitive function loss, increased incidence of falls. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of benzodiazepine use among patients of the Center for Psychosocial Care in Campo Bom-RS within the period of June 2013 to May 2015. The variables analyzed were: age, frequency of dispensations, dosages, ICDs and specialties of prescribing doctors; as well as possible correlations between cognitive function, emotional function and falls in the elderly. Methods: Cross-sectional study, with data collected and tabulated from medical records and prescriptions, as well as from the management system from CAPS (Software Multi 24 hours). Data obtained was age, gender, ICDs identification; as well as frequency of prescriptions, quantity and type of medication, dosage, prescribing professional, others used drugs. Inclusion criteria: Use of any benzodiazepine available in the Health Unic System: Clonazepam 0,5 mg, Clonazepam 2,5 mg/ml, Clonazepam 2 mg and Diazepam 5mg. MMSE and GDS tests have been applied in the elderly, through individual interviews, in which we found about educational level, occurrence and frequency of falls and other self-reported comorbidities. The software Microsoft® Excel® 2007 was used to build database, and for statistical analysis the software PASW V18 (SPSS) was used. Results: The total number of active patients identified at CAPS was 855 individuals, of these 543 were women (63.5%) and 84 elderly (9.8%). The prevalence of benzodiazepines’ use in this population was 47.2 % (n = 404). We have found 12.680 prescriptions dispensed and the prevalence of benzodiazepines’ prescriptions was 21.7 % (n = 2.748). Among patients who received benzodiazepines, 297 (73.5%) were women and 59 elderly (14.6%), of these 56 were interviewed. From the interviewed patients, 42 (75.0%) had significant depressive symptomatology (GDS≥5) and 32 (57.1%) have suffered two or more falls. Eighteen elderly patients demonstrated to use two or more benzodiazepines. There was a negative linear correlation between MMSE and GDS scores (r = -.416, p =.002). There was also a negative linear correlation between MMSE scores and number of falls in elderly (r = -.327 p =. 016). Conclusions: Benzodiazepines accounted for 21.7% of the total CAPS’ prescriptions, and 47.2% individuals treated at CAPS received benzodiazepines. Women tended to receive more prescriptions of benzodiazepines (p <.001) than men. The prevalence of significant depressive symptomatology in the elderly was very high (75.0%). As well as the incidence of falls, since more than half of the elderly patients presented two or more falls in the period. We identified a negative linear correlation between cognitive function as assessed by MMSE and depressive symptoms assessed by the GDS; and there was a negative linear correlation between MMSE and the number of falls in the elderly.

Apesar de amplamente prescritos, os psicofármacos são ainda controversos quanto a sua utilização. O uso em larga escala remete a outras dimensões do problema, que extrapolam à psiquiatria e permeiam as áreas da psicologia e das ciências sociais. Entender o uso destes medicamentos é entender as características da população que os utiliza. Assim, esta dissertação objetivou descrever a prevalência autorreferida de uso de psicofármacos pela população urbana brasileira, focando nas diferenças entre homens e mulheres. Para isso, foi avaliada a prevalência global, e estratificada por sexo, do uso de medicamentos psicotrópicos valendo-se dos dados da Pesquisa Nacional Sobre o Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos (Pnaum). Os psicofármacos foram agrupados em 4 classes terapêuticas: antidepressivos; ansiolíticos; antipsicóticos e estabilizadores do humor. Foram calculadas as prevalências e razões de prevalência e seus intervalos de confiança de 95% [IC95%] e foram aplicados testes do qui-quadrado de Pearson para avaliação da significância estatística das diferenças entre os grupos, considerando o nível de significância de 5%. Entre os entrevistados, 8,0% declararam utilizar ao menos um psicofármaco. Esta prevalência sobe para 10,9% quando considerado apenas o sexo feminino, que chega a apresentar prevalência de uso 2 vezes maior do que os homens na faixa etária dos 35 aos 46 anos de idade. As prevalências de uso de psicofármacos para homens, mulheres e amostra sem distinção de sexo aumentam com o aumento da idade, número de doenças crônicas e número de medicamentos utilizados para o tratamento destas doenças. Os antidepressivos e ansiolíticos figuram como as classes terapêuticas mais utilizadas, sendo estas mesmas classes mais prevalentes entre as mulheres, em todas as faixas etárias, enquanto os antipsicóticos e 8 estabilizadores do humor foram mais prevalentes entre os indivíduos do sexo masculino. Os resultados indicam um maior uso destes medicamentos por parte das mulheres, e um padrão diferenciado entre elas e os homens no que se refere às classes terapêuticas. Buscando compreender estas diferenças, esta dissertação percorre aspectos relacionados às especificidades biológicas dos sexos e aos papéis sociais exercidos por homens e mulheres, incluindo suas implicações no modelo de saúde. / Although widely prescribed, psychotropic drugs are still controversial as to their use. Large-scale use refers to other dimensions of the problem, which go beyond psychiatry and permeate areas of psychology and social sciences. Understanding the use of these drugs is, therefore, understanding the characteristics of the population that uses them. Thus, this dissertation aimed to describe the selfrefered prevalence of psychotropic medication use by the Brazilian urban population, focusing on the differences between men and women. For this, the overall prevalence and stratified by sex prevalence of the psychotropic drugs use were evaluated using data from the National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines (Pnaum). The psychotropic drugs were grouped into four therapeutic classes: antidepressants; anxiolytics; antipsychotics and mood stabilizers. Prevalence, prevalence estimates and their 95% confidence intervals [95% CI] were calculated and Pearson's qui-square tests were used to assess the statistical significance of the differences between the groups, considering a significance level of 5%. Among those interviewed, 8.0% reported using at least one psychotropic drug. This prevalence rises to 10.9% when considered only female, which has a prevalence of use 2 times higher than men in the age group of 35 to 46 years of age. The prevalences of psychoactive drugs use for men, women and non-gender sample increases with increasing age, number of chronic diseases and number of drugs used to treat diseases. Antidepressants and anxiolytics appear as the most commonly used therapeutic classes, the same classes being more prevalent among women in all age groups, while antipsychotics and mood stabilizers were more prevalent among males. The results indicate a greater use of these drugs by women, and a differentiated 10 pattern between them and the men regarding the therapeutic classes. Seeking to understand these differences, this dissertation covers aspects related to the biological specificities of the sexes and to the social roles played by men and women, including its implications in the health model.

Apesar de amplamente prescritos, os psicofármacos são ainda controversos quanto a sua utilização. O uso em larga escala remete a outras dimensões do problema, que extrapolam à psiquiatria e permeiam as áreas da psicologia e das ciências sociais. Entender o uso destes medicamentos é entender as características da população que os utiliza. Assim, esta dissertação objetivou descrever a prevalência autorreferida de uso de psicofármacos pela população urbana brasileira, focando nas diferenças entre homens e mulheres. Para isso, foi avaliada a prevalência global, e estratificada por sexo, do uso de medicamentos psicotrópicos valendo-se dos dados da Pesquisa Nacional Sobre o Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos (Pnaum). Os psicofármacos foram agrupados em 4 classes terapêuticas: antidepressivos; ansiolíticos; antipsicóticos e estabilizadores do humor. Foram calculadas as prevalências e razões de prevalência e seus intervalos de confiança de 95% [IC95%] e foram aplicados testes do qui-quadrado de Pearson para avaliação da significância estatística das diferenças entre os grupos, considerando o nível de significância de 5%. Entre os entrevistados, 8,0% declararam utilizar ao menos um psicofármaco. Esta prevalência sobe para 10,9% quando considerado apenas o sexo feminino, que chega a apresentar prevalência de uso 2 vezes maior do que os homens na faixa etária dos 35 aos 46 anos de idade. As prevalências de uso de psicofármacos para homens, mulheres e amostra sem distinção de sexo aumentam com o aumento da idade, número de doenças crônicas e número de medicamentos utilizados para o tratamento destas doenças. Os antidepressivos e ansiolíticos figuram como as classes terapêuticas mais utilizadas, sendo estas mesmas classes mais prevalentes entre as mulheres, em todas as faixas etárias, enquanto os antipsicóticos e 8 estabilizadores do humor foram mais prevalentes entre os indivíduos do sexo masculino. Os resultados indicam um maior uso destes medicamentos por parte das mulheres, e um padrão diferenciado entre elas e os homens no que se refere às classes terapêuticas. Buscando compreender estas diferenças, esta dissertação percorre aspectos relacionados às especificidades biológicas dos sexos e aos papéis sociais exercidos por homens e mulheres, incluindo suas implicações no modelo de saúde. / Although widely prescribed, psychotropic drugs are still controversial as to their use. Large-scale use refers to other dimensions of the problem, which go beyond psychiatry and permeate areas of psychology and social sciences. Understanding the use of these drugs is, therefore, understanding the characteristics of the population that uses them. Thus, this dissertation aimed to describe the selfrefered prevalence of psychotropic medication use by the Brazilian urban population, focusing on the differences between men and women. For this, the overall prevalence and stratified by sex prevalence of the psychotropic drugs use were evaluated using data from the National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines (Pnaum). The psychotropic drugs were grouped into four therapeutic classes: antidepressants; anxiolytics; antipsychotics and mood stabilizers. Prevalence, prevalence estimates and their 95% confidence intervals [95% CI] were calculated and Pearson's qui-square tests were used to assess the statistical significance of the differences between the groups, considering a significance level of 5%. Among those interviewed, 8.0% reported using at least one psychotropic drug. This prevalence rises to 10.9% when considered only female, which has a prevalence of use 2 times higher than men in the age group of 35 to 46 years of age. The prevalences of psychoactive drugs use for men, women and non-gender sample increases with increasing age, number of chronic diseases and number of drugs used to treat diseases. Antidepressants and anxiolytics appear as the most commonly used therapeutic classes, the same classes being more prevalent among women in all age groups, while antipsychotics and mood stabilizers were more prevalent among males. The results indicate a greater use of these drugs by women, and a differentiated 10 pattern between them and the men regarding the therapeutic classes. Seeking to understand these differences, this dissertation covers aspects related to the biological specificities of the sexes and to the social roles played by men and women, including its implications in the health model.

Introdução: Os Benzodiazepínicos estão entre as drogas mais prescritas no mundo. Possuem características ansiolíticas, hipnóticas, miorelaxantes e anticonvulsivantes. Estudos prévios evidenciam inadequações nas prescrições de benzodiazepínicos, como uso equivocado para quadros inespecíficos, tratamento prolongado e abuso por idosos. Benzodiazepínicos podem trazer sérios efeitos adversos, sobretudo em idosos, como sonolência diurna, deterioro da memória e funções cognitivas, desequilíbrio e quedas. Objetivos: Analisar a prevalência do uso de benzodiazepínicos nos pacientes do Centro de Atenção Psicossocial (CAPS) de Campo Bom-RS em um período de 24 meses (Junho de 2013 a Maio de 2015), faixa etária, frequência de dispensações, dosagens, CIDs e especialidades dos médicos prescritores; bem como possíveis relações com a função cognitiva, afetiva, e quedas em idosos. Métodos: Estudo transversal, com informações coletadas e tabuladas a partir dos prontuários e prescrições médicas do CAPS Campo Bom, bem como do seu sistema informatizado de gerenciamento (Software Multi 24 Horas). Foram obtidos dados como idade, gênero, identificação dos CIDs; bem como informações sobre prescrições de Benzodiazepínicos, como frequência, quantidade, tipo de medicamento, posologia, profissional prescritor e demais medicamentos utilizados. Critério de inclusão: utilização de qualquer benzodiazepínico disponível na rede SUS: Clonazepam 0,5mg, Clonazepam 2,5 mg/ml, Clonazepam 2mg e Diazepam 5mg. Foram aplicados os testes MEEM e GDS nos pacientes idosos, em entrevistas individuais, nas quais também se avaliou a escolaridade, ocorrência e frequência de quedas, além das comorbidades auto relatadas. Para construção do banco de dados foi utilizado o Software Microsoft® Office Excel® 2007, e para análise estatística o Software PASW V18 (SPSS®). Resultados: O número total de pacientes ativos identificados no CAPS foi de 855 indivíduos, sendo 543 (63,5%) mulheres e 84 idosos (9,8%). A prevalência de utilização de BZD nesta população representou 47,2% (n=404 indivíduos). Foram identificadas 12.680 prescrições médicas dispensadas e, deste total, a prevalência de prescrições de benzodiazepínicos foi de 21,7% (n=2.748). Dentre os pacientes que receberam BZD, 297 (73,5%) eram mulheres e 59 idosos (14,6%), dos quais 56 foram entrevistados. Dentre os idosos entrevistados, 42 (75,0%) possuíram significativa sintomatologia depressiva (GDS≥5) e 32 (57,1%) apresentaram duas ou mais quedas no período de 1 ano. Dezoito pacientes idosos demonstraram fazer uso de dois ou mais BZDs. Houve correlação linear negativa entre os escores do MEEM e do GDS (r = - ,416; p=,002). Houve também uma correlação linear negativa entre o escore do MEEM e número de quedas em idosos (r = -,327 p=,016). Conclusões: Os benzodiazepínicos corresponderam a 21,7 % do total de prescrições do CAPS e do total dos indivíduos 47,2% receberam benzodiazepínicos. Proporcionalmente aos homens, as mulheres tenderam a receber mais prescrições de benzodiazepínicos (p<.001). A prevalência de significativa sintomatologia depressiva nos idosos usuários do CAPS foi alta (75,0%), assim como a incidência de quedas, sendo que mais da metade dos idosos caiu 2 ou mais vezes no período. Identificou-se uma correlação linear negativa entre a função cognitiva como avaliada pelo MEEM e a sintomatologia depressiva avaliada pelo GDS; bem como houve uma correlação linear negativa entre o MEEM e o número de quedas em idosos. / Introduction: Benzodiazepines are among the most prescribed drugs in the world, they have characteristics such as anxiolytic, hypnotic, muscle relaxants and anticonvulsants. Studies have pointed out distortions in benzodiazepines’ prescriptions, such as misuse for unspecific cases, prolonged treatment and use by elderly. Such medications may cause serious damage, particularly in the elderly, and its continued use causes side effects such as daytime somnolence, imbalance, memory and cognitive function loss, increased incidence of falls. Objectives: To assess the prevalence of benzodiazepine use among patients of the Center for Psychosocial Care in Campo Bom-RS within the period of June 2013 to May 2015. The variables analyzed were: age, frequency of dispensations, dosages, ICDs and specialties of prescribing doctors; as well as possible correlations between cognitive function, emotional function and falls in the elderly. Methods: Cross-sectional study, with data collected and tabulated from medical records and prescriptions, as well as from the management system from CAPS (Software Multi 24 hours). Data obtained was age, gender, ICDs identification; as well as frequency of prescriptions, quantity and type of medication, dosage, prescribing professional, others used drugs. Inclusion criteria: Use of any benzodiazepine available in the Health Unic System: Clonazepam 0,5 mg, Clonazepam 2,5 mg/ml, Clonazepam 2 mg and Diazepam 5mg. MMSE and GDS tests have been applied in the elderly, through individual interviews, in which we found about educational level, occurrence and frequency of falls and other self-reported comorbidities. The software Microsoft® Excel® 2007 was used to build database, and for statistical analysis the software PASW V18 (SPSS) was used. Results: The total number of active patients identified at CAPS was 855 individuals, of these 543 were women (63.5%) and 84 elderly (9.8%). The prevalence of benzodiazepines’ use in this population was 47.2 % (n = 404). We have found 12.680 prescriptions dispensed and the prevalence of benzodiazepines’ prescriptions was 21.7 % (n = 2.748). Among patients who received benzodiazepines, 297 (73.5%) were women and 59 elderly (14.6%), of these 56 were interviewed. From the interviewed patients, 42 (75.0%) had significant depressive symptomatology (GDS≥5) and 32 (57.1%) have suffered two or more falls. Eighteen elderly patients demonstrated to use two or more benzodiazepines. There was a negative linear correlation between MMSE and GDS scores (r = -.416, p =.002). There was also a negative linear correlation between MMSE scores and number of falls in elderly (r = -.327 p =. 016). Conclusions: Benzodiazepines accounted for 21.7% of the total CAPS’ prescriptions, and 47.2% individuals treated at CAPS received benzodiazepines. Women tended to receive more prescriptions of benzodiazepines (p <.001) than men. The prevalence of significant depressive symptomatology in the elderly was very high (75.0%). As well as the incidence of falls, since more than half of the elderly patients presented two or more falls in the period. We identified a negative linear correlation between cognitive function as assessed by MMSE and depressive symptoms assessed by the GDS; and there was a negative linear correlation between MMSE and the number of falls in the elderly.