Benzodiazepines (Psy and mixed indications) updated on 02-10-2025

Preterm (< 37 weeks)

R analysis
id Study   Lib. in paper Exposition period    Study type  Control type 
 
Tags OR 95%CI x1/n1 x0/n0 no cases no exposed ROB Ref.
S15397
R63466
Chan - BZDs, 2023 Preterm birth (<37 gestational weeks) during pregnancy (anytime or not specified) population based cohort retrospective unexposed (general population or NOS) Adjustment: Yes BZD Coexposure: Yes (with psychiatric (ATD and/or psychotropics) medications) 1.19 [1.00;1.42] 142/1,060   44,207/531,164 44,349 1,060
ref
S17870
R75496
Delteil - BZDs (Controls unexposed, NOS), 2023 Preterm birth (<37 GW) during pregnancy (anytime or not specified) retrospective cohort (claims database) unexposed (general population or NOS) excluded Adjustment: No BZD Coexposure: Yes (with psychiatric (ATD and/or psychotropics) medications) 1.52 [1.32;1.74] C
excluded (control group)
235/2,517   5,217/82,163 5,452 2,517
ref
S15610
R75488
Delteil - BZDs (Controls unexposed, sick), 2023 Preterm birth (<37 GW) during pregnancy (anytime or not specified) retrospective cohort (claims database) unexposed, sick Adjustment: No BZD Coexposure: Yes (with psychiatric (ATD and/or psychotropics) medications) 1.28 [0.99;1.65] C 235/2,517   88/1,180 323 2,517
ref
S17848
R75324
Meng a - BZDs (Controls unexposed, sibling), 2023 Preterm birth (<37 weeks’ gestation) early pregnancy population based cohort retrospective sibling excluded Adjustment: Yes BZD Coexposure: Yes (with psychiatric (ATD and/or psychotropics) medications) 0.93 [0.86;0.99]
excluded (control group)
-/-   -/- - -
ref
S15409
R63480
Meng a - BZDs (Controls unexposed, sick), 2023 Preterm birth (<37 weeks’ gestation) early pregnancy population based cohort retrospective unexposed, sick Adjustment: Yes BZD Coexposure: Yes (with psychiatric (ATD and/or psychotropics) medications) 1.17 [1.14;1.20] 6,021/61,218   235,053/2,776,683 241,074 61,218
ref
S15405
R63474
Lee - Alprazolam, 2022 Preterm birth (< 37 weeks) 1st trimester prospective cohort unexposed (general population or NOS) Adjustment: Yes BZD Coexposure: Not specified 2.27 [0.92;5.60] 7/82   22/579 29 82
ref
S15446
R63532
Zanisi - BZDs, 2022 Premature birth during pregnancy (anytime or not specified) cohort unexposed (general population or NOS) Adjustment: No BZD Coexposure: No (among psychiatric (ATD and/or psychotropics) medications) 2.24 [0.85;5.90] -/-   -/- - -
ref
S15584
R64105
Coste - Clonazepam (Mixed indications), 2020 Gestational age at birth (< 37 WA) during pregnancy (anytime or not specified) retrospective cohort (claims database) unexposed (general population or NOS) Adjustment: No BZD Coexposure: No (among antiseizure medications) 1.43 [1.16;1.77] C 93/1,246   91,255/1,710,441 91,348 1,246
ref
S15319
R63027
Freeman - BZDs, 2018 Premature (< 37 weeks) during pregnancy (anytime or not specified) prospective cohort unexposed, sick Adjustment: Yes BZD Coexposure: Yes (with psychiatric (ATD and/or psychotropics) medications) Indication BZD: Psychiatric diseases (depression, anxiety, ...) 1.31 [0.55;2.32] 17/144   87/650 104 144
ref
S15533
R63799
Ogawa - BZDs, 2018 Preterm birth (less than 37 completed weeks) 2nd and/or 3rd trimester nested case control unexposed (general population or NOS) Adjustment: Yes BZD Coexposure: Yes (with psychiatric (ATD and/or psychotropics) medications) 2.03 [1.11;3.69] -/-   746/- - -
ref
S15314
R63007
Yonkers - BZDs, 2017 Preterm Birth (before 36 completed weeks of gestation (36 weeks and 6 days)) during pregnancy (anytime or not specified) prospective cohort unexposed (general population or NOS) Adjustment: Yes BZD Coexposure: Not specified Indication BZD: Psychiatric diseases (depression, anxiety, ...) 1.98 [0.97;4.04] 12/67   -/- - 67
ref
S15315
R63013
Kilic - Clonazepam (Mixed indications), 2014 Preterm (< 37 weeks) during pregnancy (anytime or not specified) population based cohort retrospective unexposed (general population or NOS) Adjustment: Yes BZD Coexposure: No (among antiseizure medications) 1.60 [1.00;2.40] 23/262   33,974/676,834 33,997 262
ref
S15587
R64163
Källén - BZDs, 2013 Preterm birth (<37 weeks) 2nd and/or 3rd trimester population based cohort retrospective unexposed (general population or NOS) Adjustment: Yes BZD Coexposure: Not specified 1.62 [1.37;1.91] 157/-   -/- - -
ref
S17712
R74712
Hironaka - BZDs (Control exposed to Atypical antipsy), 2011 Preterm birth (NOS) during pregnancy (anytime or not specified) retrospective cohort exposed to other treatment, sick excluded Adjustment: No BZD Coexposure: Not specified Indication BZD: Psychiatric diseases (depression, anxiety, ...) 1.89 [0.03;112.07] C
excluded (control group)
0/5   0/9 0 5
ref
S17710
R74700
Hironaka - BZDs (Control unexposed, disease free), 2011 Preterm birth (NOS) during pregnancy (anytime or not specified) retrospective cohort unexposed, disease free excluded Adjustment: No BZD Coexposure: Not specified Indication BZD: Psychiatric diseases (depression, anxiety, ...) 12.24 [0.51;293.29] C
excluded (control group)
0/5   2/278 2 5
ref
S17711
R74706
Hironaka - BZDs (Control unexposed, sick), 2011 Preterm birth (NOS) during pregnancy (anytime or not specified) retrospective cohort unexposed, sick Adjustment: No BZD Coexposure: Not specified Indication BZD: Psychiatric diseases (depression, anxiety, ...) 0.56 [0.01;37.57] C 0/5   0/3 0 5
ref
S15320
R63032
Calderon-Margalit - BZDs, 2009 Preterm delivery (before 37 weeks of gestation) during pregnancy (anytime or not specified) prospective cohort unexposed (general population or NOS) Adjustment: Yes BZD Coexposure: No (among psychiatric (ATD and/or psychotropics) medications) 5.56 [2.71;11.40] 20/43   234/2,493 254 43
ref
Total 13 studies 1.51 [1.29;1.77] 411,478 66,644
x1: number of endpoints among exposed, n1: number of exposed; x0: number of endpoints among non exposed, n0: number of non exposed; C: calculated odds ratio from numbers of events and effectives

Forest plot

StudyTE95% CIn casesn exposedweightROBABCDEF Chan - BZDs, 2023Chan - BZDs, 2023 1.19[1.00; 1.42]44,3491,06014%ROB confusion: seriousROB selection: lowROB classification: moderateROB missing: lowROB mesure: moderateROB reporting: moderate Delteil - BZDs (Controls unexposed, sick), 2023Delteil - BZDs, 2023 1 1.28[0.99; 1.65]3232,51712%ROB confusion: criticalROB selection: unclearROB classification: moderateROB missing: lowROB mesure: criticalROB reporting: moderate Meng a - BZDs (Controls unexposed, sick), 2023Meng a - BZDs, 2023 2 1.17[1.14; 1.20]241,07461,21817%ROB confusion: lowROB selection: lowROB classification: moderateROB missing: unclearROB mesure: moderateROB reporting: moderate Lee - Alprazolam, 2022Lee - Alprazolam, 2022 2.27[0.92; 5.60]29823%ROB confusion: criticalROB selection: moderateROB classification: moderateROB missing: criticalROB mesure: unclearROB reporting: moderate Zanisi - BZDs, 2022Zanisi - BZDs, 2022 2.24[0.85; 5.90]--2%ROB confusion: criticalROB selection: unclearROB classification: unclearROB missing: unclearROB mesure: unclearROB reporting: unclear Coste - Clonazepam (Mixed indications), 2020Coste - Clonazepam, 2020 3 1.43[1.16; 1.77]91,3481,24613%ROB confusion: criticalROB selection: moderateROB classification: moderateROB missing: moderateROB mesure: moderateROB reporting: moderate Freeman - BZDs, 2018Freeman - BZDs, 2018 1.31[0.55; 2.32]1041444%ROB confusion: seriousROB selection: unclearROB classification: moderateROB missing: moderateROB mesure: moderateROB reporting: moderate Ogawa - BZDs, 2018Ogawa - BZDs, 2018 2.03[1.11; 3.69]--5%ROB confusion: moderateROB selection: lowROB classification: moderateROB missing: unclearROB mesure: moderateROB reporting: moderate Yonkers - BZDs, 2017Yonkers - BZDs, 2017 1.98[0.97; 4.04]-674%ROB confusion: seriousROB selection: moderateROB classification: moderateROB missing: lowROB mesure: moderateROB reporting: moderate Kilic - Clonazepam (Mixed indications), 2014Kilic - Clonazepam, 2014 4 1.60[1.00; 2.40]33,9972627%ROB confusion: seriousROB selection: lowROB classification: moderateROB missing: lowROB mesure: moderateROB reporting: moderate Källén - BZDs, 2013Källén - BZDs, 2013 1.62[1.37; 1.91]--14%ROB confusion: criticalROB selection: lowROB classification: moderateROB missing: unclearROB mesure: moderateROB reporting: moderate Hironaka - BZDs (Control unexposed, sick), 2011Hironaka - BZDs, 2011 5 0.56[0.01; 37.57]050%ROB confusion: criticalROB selection: criticalROB classification: criticalROB missing: lowROB mesure: moderateROB reporting: moderate Calderon-Margalit - BZDs, 2009Calderon-Margalit - BZDs, 2009 5.56[2.71; 11.40]254434%ROB confusion: seriousROB selection: moderateROB classification: moderateROB missing: lowROB mesure: moderateROB reporting: moderate Total (13 studies) I2 = 74% 1.51[1.29; 1.77]411,47866,6440.220.01.0ROB: A: confusion, B: selection, C: classification, D: missing, E: measurement, F: reportinglow,moderate,serious,critical,unclear,

1: Controls unexposed, sick; 2: Controls unexposed, sick; 3: Mixed indications; 4: Mixed indications; 5: Control unexposed, sick;

Sensitivity analysis

SubsetTE95% CIn casesn exposedkI2 Type of studies cohort studiescohort studies 1.48[1.26; 1.74]411,47866,64475%NAChan - BZDs, 2023 Delteil - BZDs (Controls unexposed, sick), 2023 Meng a - BZDs (Controls unexposed, sick), 2023 Lee - Alprazolam, 2022 Zanisi - BZDs, 2022 Coste - Clonazepam (Mixed indications), 2020 Freeman - BZDs, 2018 Yonkers - BZDs, 2017 Kilic - Clonazepam (Mixed indications), 2014 Källén - BZDs, 2013 Hironaka - BZDs (Control unexposed, sick), 2011 Calderon-Margalit - BZDs, 2009 12 case control studiescase control studies 2.03[1.11; 3.70]-- -NAOgawa - BZDs, 2018 1 Type of controls unexposed (disease free or unspecified)unexposed (disease free or unspecified) 1.71[1.38; 2.12]169,9772,76066%NAChan - BZDs, 2023 Lee - Alprazolam, 2022 Zanisi - BZDs, 2022 Coste - Clonazepam (Mixed indications), 2020 Ogawa - BZDs, 2018 Yonkers - BZDs, 2017 Kilic - Clonazepam (Mixed indications), 2014 Källén - BZDs, 2013 Calderon-Margalit - BZDs, 2009 9 unexposed, sickunexposed, sick 1.17[1.14; 1.20]241,50163,8840%NADelteil - BZDs (Controls unexposed, sick), 2023 Meng a - BZDs (Controls unexposed, sick), 2023 Freeman - BZDs, 2018 Hironaka - BZDs (Control unexposed, sick), 2011 4 Tags Adjustment   - No  - No 1.38[1.18; 1.62]91,6713,7680%NADelteil - BZDs (Controls unexposed, sick), 2023 Zanisi - BZDs, 2022 Coste - Clonazepam (Mixed indications), 2020 Hironaka - BZDs (Control unexposed, sick), 2011 4   - Yes  - Yes 1.59[1.29; 1.96]319,80762,87681%NAChan - BZDs, 2023 Meng a - BZDs (Controls unexposed, sick), 2023 Lee - Alprazolam, 2022 Freeman - BZDs, 2018 Ogawa - BZDs, 2018 Yonkers - BZDs, 2017 Kilic - Clonazepam (Mixed indications), 2014 Källén - BZDs, 2013 Calderon-Margalit - BZDs, 2009 9 BZD Coexposure   - No (among antiseizure medications)  - No (among antiseizure medications) 1.46[1.21; 1.77]125,3451,5080%NACoste - Clonazepam (Mixed indications), 2020 Kilic - Clonazepam (Mixed indications), 2014 2   - No (among psychiatric (ATD and/or p ...  - No (among psychiatric (ATD and/or psychotropics) medications) 3.75[1.55; 9.07]2544354%NAZanisi - BZDs, 2022 Calderon-Margalit - BZDs, 2009 2   - Not specified  - Not specified 1.65[1.41; 1.94]291540%NALee - Alprazolam, 2022 Yonkers - BZDs, 2017 Källén - BZDs, 2013 Hironaka - BZDs (Control unexposed, sick), 2011 4   - Yes (with psychiatric (ATD and/or p ...  - Yes (with psychiatric (ATD and/or psychotropics) medications) 1.17[1.14; 1.20]285,85064,9390%NAChan - BZDs, 2023 Delteil - BZDs (Controls unexposed, sick), 2023 Meng a - BZDs (Controls unexposed, sick), 2023 Freeman - BZDs, 2018 Ogawa - BZDs, 2018 5 Indication BZD   - Psychiatric diseases (depression, a ...  - Psychiatric diseases (depression, anxiety, ...) 1.59[0.96; 2.63]1042160%NAFreeman - BZDs, 2018 Yonkers - BZDs, 2017 Hironaka - BZDs (Control unexposed, sick), 2011 3 All studiesAll studies 1.51[1.29; 1.77]411,47866,64474%NAChan - BZDs, 2023 Delteil - BZDs (Controls unexposed, sick), 2023 Meng a - BZDs (Controls unexposed, sick), 2023 Lee - Alprazolam, 2022 Zanisi - BZDs, 2022 Coste - Clonazepam (Mixed indications), 2020 Freeman - BZDs, 2018 Ogawa - BZDs, 2018 Yonkers - BZDs, 2017 Kilic - Clonazepam (Mixed indications), 2014 Källén - BZDs, 2013 Hironaka - BZDs (Control unexposed, sick), 2011 Calderon-Margalit - BZDs, 2009 130.220.01.0

Publication bias and p-hacking diagnosis

funnel plot
0.0-5.15.52.5800.000Chan - BZDs, 2023Delteil - BZDs (Controls unexposed, sick), 2023Meng a - BZDs (Controls unexposed, sick), 2023Lee - Alprazolam, 2022Zanisi - BZDs, 2022Coste - Clonazepam (Mixed indications), 2020Freeman - BZDs, 2018Ogawa - BZDs, 2018Yonkers - BZDs, 2017Kilic - Clonazepam (Mixed indications), 2014Källén - BZDs, 2013Hironaka - BZDs (Control unexposed, sick), 2011Calderon-Margalit - BZDs, 2009

Asymetry test p-value = 0.0039 (by Egger's regression)

slope=0.1390 (0.0198); intercept=1.5881 (0.4373); t=3.6317; p=0.0039

p values plot
0.01.00.01.0

Sub-groups analysis using all included studies

excluded 17712, 17710, 17870, 17848

Sub-groupsTE95% CIn casesn exposedkI2ROB type of controls unexposed controls (disease free or unspecified)unexposed controls (disease free or unspecified) 1.64[1.39; 1.93]176,3195,28260%NAChan - BZDs, 2023 Delteil - BZDs (Controls unexposed, NOS), 2023 Lee - Alprazolam, 2022 Zanisi - BZDs, 2022 Coste - Clonazepam (Mixed indications), 2020 Ogawa - BZDs, 2018 Yonkers - BZDs, 2017 Kilic - Clonazepam (Mixed indications), 2014 Källén - BZDs, 2013 Hironaka - BZDs (Control unexposed, disease free), 2011 Calderon-Margalit - BZDs, 2009 11 unexposed, sick controlsunexposed, sick controls 1.17[1.14; 1.20]241,50163,8840%NADelteil - BZDs (Controls unexposed, sick), 2023 Meng a - BZDs (Controls unexposed, sick), 2023 Freeman - BZDs, 2018 Hironaka - BZDs (Control unexposed, sick), 2011 4 exposed to other treatment, sick controlsexposed to other treatment, sick controls 1.89[0.03; 112.07]-5 -NAHironaka - BZDs (Control exposed to Atypical antipsy), 2011 1 siblingssiblings 0.93[0.87; 1.00]-- -NAMeng a - BZDs (Controls unexposed, sibling), 2023 10.510.01.0

Umbrella review (other published meta-analyses)

Published MAControlPeriodTE95% CIn exposedkI2 Grigoriadis - BZDs (Preterm birth)Grigoriadis - BZDs (Preterm birth) 1.96[1.25; 3.08]83%-Wwhatever (meta-analysis)Anyduring pregnancy (anytime or not specified)studies TTT6 Veroniki a (NMA) (Clobazam) (All indications) ...Veroniki a (NMA) (Clobazam) (All indications) (Preterm birth) 3.42[1.41; 7.92]NA-Wwhatever (meta-analysis)Anyduring pregnancy (anytime or not specified)studies TTT-9 Veroniki a (NMA) (Clonazepam) (All indication ...Veroniki a (NMA) (Clonazepam) (All indications) (Preterm birth) 0.86[0.48; 1.39]NA-Wwhatever (meta-analysis)Anyduring pregnancy (anytime or not specified)studies TTT-9 metaPregmetaPreg 1.51[1.29; 1.77]74%66,644----Chan - BZDs, 2023 Delteil - BZDs (Controls unexposed, sick), 2023 Meng a - BZDs (Controls unexposed, sick), 2023 Lee - Alprazolam, 2022 Zanisi - BZDs, 2022 Coste - Clonazepam (Mixed indications), 2020 Freeman - BZDs, 2018 Ogawa - BZDs, 2018 Yonkers - BZDs, 2017 Kilic - Clonazepam (Mixed indications), 2014 Källén - BZDs, 2013 Hironaka - BZDs (Control unexposed, sick), 2011 Calderon-Margalit - BZDs, 2009 130.510.01.0