Antipsychotics combined use pattern among schizophrenic inpatients in Tangshan region

Abstract

Objective To investigate rates and clinical associates of combined antipsychotic therapy in hospitalized patients with schizophrenia during 1986 ～ 2006. Methods Hospital charts of schizophrenic inpatients who discharged from six psychiatric hospitals in Tangshan in 1986,1996,2001, and 2006 were reviewed. Demographic and clinical character and prescription information at time of discharged of patients' was coded by trained investigators with a special designed form. Results The rates of combination antipsychotic therapy in the four years mentioned above were 13.2%, 18. 1% ,32.7%, and 28.9% ,respectively and the difference was statistically significant( x2 = 76.431, P ＜ 0.01; linear by linear x2 = 25. 542, P ＜ 0.01 ). Combined antipsychotic therapy in schizophrenic inpatients in Tangshan region show a increasing trend. There is significant difference of rate of combined antipsychotic therapy between hospitals. Combined antipsychotic therapy were associated with duration of illness,numbers of prior psychiatric hospital admission,hospital from which patients discharged,and discharged year. Key words: Schizophrenia ; Inpatient ; Antipsychotics ; Polypharmacy ; Predictors ;