Thesis
Benzodiazepine use and the effect on worker health: a systematic review
University of Iowa
Master of Science (MS), University of Iowa
Summer 2025
DOI: 10.25820/etd.008148
Abstract
Introduction: A systematic literature review was conducted to examine the use of benzodiazepines and their impact on worker health, and workplace outcomes. Benzodiazepines, commonly prescribed for anxiety, insomnia, and muscle relaxation, are known for their potential to cause dependency and adverse health effects. In association with work, benzodiazepines can impair a worker’s ability to complete their job tasks, affecting efficiency, productivity, and increasing time away from work due to injury. Employing a comprehensive search strategy, relevant studies were identified, screened, and analyzed to assess benzodiazepine use among workers in multiple industries, the associated health risks, and the effects on workplace safety and productivity.
Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Embase, and Scopus, using keywords such as “benzodiazepine,” “Ativan,” AND “Work,” Workplace,” and “Occupation.” Literature was extracted from the three different library databases which yielded 2,616 articles. Studies were included if they involved working adults, examined the use of benzodiazepines as an exposure variable; examined work, worker, or workplace outcomes and were a peer-reviewed journal article, clinical trial, cohort study, meta- analyses, or case-control study. Articles were also included if they were published in English or Spanish and were published between January 1963-September of 2024. Data extraction from the articles involved collecting information on the country, study population size, study design, the industry (line of work,) how benzodiazepines were operationalized, how worker and workplace outcomes were operationalized, and key findings and/or summary of results. Inclusion and exclusion criteria of each article was assessed using Rayyan, and the data was synthesized using a narrative approach to identify common themes and to draw conclusions about the impact of benzodiazepine use on work, worker health, and workplace safety conditions.
Results: The review found that benzodiazepine use is positively associated with increased workplace incidents, absenteeism, and reduced productivity. The studies included in this review demonstrated associations between benzodiazepine use and various work-related outcomes. Increases in benzodiazepine use were associated with higher rates of workplace incidents- defined as unplanned, undesired events that adversely affect the completion of a task, potentially causing harm, injury, or damage to the worker or work environment around them- and reduced work efficiency. Some studies found that benzodiazepine use can lead to higher medical costs and longer recovery times for workers. Overall, the findings highlight the need for further research to better understand the impacts of benzodiazepine use in the workplace.
Conclusion: This systematic review highlights the impact of benzodiazepine use on workplace safety and worker health. While the sedative implications on the body and cognitive impairments associated with benzodiazepines are well-documented in the literature, this review underscores the critical need for further research on their impact on occupational outcomes. Addressing this issue through targeted interventions and support systems is essential to enhance workplace safety and to ensure the well-being of employees. As the prevalence of benzodiazepine use continues to rise in the United States, understanding and mitigating the occupational risks associated with benzodiazepines remains a pressing priority.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Benzodiazepine use and the effect on worker health: a systematic review
- Creators
- Lindsey Ann Bass
- Contributors
- Carri Casteel (Advisor)Diane Rohlman (Committee Member)Christopher Iverson (Committee Member)
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (MS), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Occupational and Environmental Health
- Date degree season
- Summer 2025
- DOI
- 10.25820/etd.008148
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- x, 40 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright 2025 Lindsey Ann Bass
- Grant note
I would like to acknowledge The Heartland Center for Occupational Health and Safety, a NIOSH/CDC Education and Research Center (Grant #: T42OH008491) that provided financial and research aid while conducting this review.
- Language
- English
- Date submitted
- 05/15/2025
- Description illustrations
- illustrations, tables
- Description bibliographic
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 33-38).
- Public Abstract (ETD)
This thesis provides a systematic review of the literature on the use of benzodiazepines and their impact on worker health and workplace outcomes. Benzodiazepines, commonly prescribed for anxiety, insomnia, and muscle relaxation, are known for their potential to cause dependency and adverse health effects. This review aims to integrate existing research to better understand the prevalence of benzodiazepine use among workers, their associated health risks, and the implications for workplace safety and productivity.
Through a comprehensive search and analysis of relevant studies, the results of the review show that benzodiazepine use among workers in multiple industries across many countries is linked to increased workplace incidents- defined as unplanned, undesired events that adversely affect the completion of a task, and potentially cause harm, injury or damage- higher absenteeism, and reduced worker productivity. These findings highlight the significant health and safety risks posed by benzodiazepine use in occupational settings. The review emphasizes the need for workplace policies addressing worker health resources to mitigate the effects of using benzodiazepines in the workplace, and intervention strategies to mitigate these risks and promote a safer, healthier work environment.
- Academic Unit
- Occupational and Environmental Health
- Record Identifier
- 9984948239502771
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