The Benzodiazepine Dependence Questionnaire (BDEPQ): validity and reliability in Mexican psychiatric patients

Addict Behav. 2011 Aug;36(8):874-7. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2011.03.007. Epub 2011 Apr 9.

Abstract

Background: Benzodiazepine (BZD) dependence is a condition generally circumscribed to a therapeutic framework. Up to 44% of chronic users become dependent. The widespread use of BZD in psychiatry requires the evaluation of psychometric properties of self-reported instruments to characterize this phenomenon.

Objective: To examine the reliability, construct and criterion validity of the Benzodiazepine Dependence Questionnaire (BDEPQ) in Mexican psychiatric patients.

Method: Patients were included if they met DSM-IV criteria for any Axis I disorder and were BZD users. A total of 150 patients were recruited. Diagnoses were made with the SCID-I and BZD dependence was determined with an adaptation of the substance dependence section of the SCID-I. All patients answered the BDEPQ.

Results: Almost half of the patients met criteria for BZD dependence. The BDEPQ showed adequate factor loadings with strong alpha values for the subscales and total score. A cut-off value of 23 reached the most stable sensitivity and specificity values.

Conclusions: Psychometric properties of the BDEPQ in Mexican psychiatric patients support its utility as a tool for the clinical work and research as it shows to be a useful instrument for the early recognition of BZD dependence in clinical populations.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents / adverse effects*
  • Anti-Anxiety Agents / therapeutic use
  • Benzodiazepines / adverse effects*
  • Benzodiazepines / therapeutic use
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Mexico
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Psychometrics
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Substance-Related Disorders / complications
  • Substance-Related Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires / standards*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-Anxiety Agents
  • Benzodiazepines