Gutierrez L, Ghadimi S, Krall A, et al. - The outcomes indicated that high post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) risk is correlated with elevated risk for benzodiazepine receptor agonist (BZA) dependence, which may make discontinuation of these medications difficult in older veterans with insomnia symptoms and chronic use of BZAs.

• Researchers performed a cross-sectional study among veterans aged 55 years and older with insomnia symptoms (current or historical) and chronic use of BZAs (≥ 3 months).

• There was a high PTSD risk in 40% of the participants (N = 33).

• They included one-fifth (21.7%, N = 18) of participants who met the criteria for benzodiazepine dependence (score ≥ 23 on Benzodiazepine Dependence Questionnaire).

• The findings revealed that veterans with high PTSD risk were significantly more likely to have BZA dependence (odds ratio 10.09, 95% CI [2.39, 42.54], p = .002).