Pharmacological treatment of anxiety in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
SUMMARY
A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted with the goal of synthesizing the evidence on the pharmacological treatment of anxiety in older adults. Conclusions were made around the use of antidepressants and benzodiazepines. The results of this review were used to guide the recommendations in the Canadian Guidelines for the Assessment and Treatment of Anxiety in Older Adults released by CCSMH in January 2024.
NOTE: Dr. Andrea Iaboni was interviewed in The Lancet Psychiatry in conversation with podcast about this research.
ARTICLE
Neil-Sztramko, S.E., Levy,A.M., Flintf A.J., Goodarzi, Z., Gough, A., Trenaman, S.C., Van Ameringen, M., Weir, E., Yeung, A., Akram, M.R., Chan, T.A., Grenier, S., Juola, H., Mojgani, J., Reynolds, K., Whitmore, C., and Iaboni, A. (2025). Pharmacological treatment of anxiety in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Psychiatry, 12(5), 421-432. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(25)00100-2/abstract