Savic, Bojana (57216800047)Bojana (57216800047)SavicJerotic, Stefan (57207916809)Stefan (57207916809)JeroticRistic, Ivan (57191339222)Ivan (57191339222)RisticZebic, Mirjana (16508355400)Mirjana (16508355400)ZebicJovanovic, Nikolina (22956210600)Nikolina (22956210600)JovanovicRusso, Manuela (35764063200)Manuela (35764063200)RussoMaric, Nadja P. (57226219191)Nadja P. (57226219191)Maric2025-06-122025-06-122021https://doi.org/10.1097/WNF.0000000000000442https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85106400123&doi=10.1097%2fWNF.0000000000000442&partnerID=40&md5=9333fd787d2d5b5b5d3782f23c18815ahttps://remedy.med.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/4211Background Cognitive difficulties have a significant impact on life functioning and overall well-being in patients with psychosis spectrum disorders (PSDs). There are indications that continuous use of benzodiazepines (BZDs) in various patient groups has a detrimental effect on cognition. Our aim was to explore the association between long-term BZD prescription, global functioning, and cognitive functioning in persons with PSD. Methods This exploratory study included 55 PSD patients, recruited from 2 outpatient services in Serbia. Patients were grouped into BZD long-term prescription group and BZD-other group. Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale was used for symptom assessment, functioning was measured by Global Assessment and Functioning Scale, and cognition was assessed by the Global Assessment of Functioning-Cognition in Schizophrenia Scale. Results The sample comprised 52.7% patients who were prescribed with BZD for 6 months or more continually (29/55), with a mean daily dose of 3.16 ± 0.66 mg lorazepam equivalents. There were no differences between study groups in any of the sociodemographic characteristics, duration of illness, or antipsychotic daily dosages. The BZD long-term prescription group had lower global (P < 0.01) and cognitive functioning (P < 0.01), higher Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale scores (1.86 vs 1.58, respectively, P < 0.01), and more psychotropic drugs prescribed on a daily basis than the other group (median: 4 vs 2, respectively, P < 0.01). Conclusions The study explored a topic that continues to be underresearched, especially in the Balkans. Prospective studies and comprehensive cognitive batteries are needed to further elucidate the associations between polypharmacy, long-term BZD use, cognitive functioning, and global functioning during maintenance therapy of individuals with PSD. © Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.benzodiazepine therapyBPRScognitionfunctioningGAFpsychosis