Neuroleptic and anticholinergic drug use in Chinese patients with schizophrenia resident in a state psychiatric hospital in Singapore

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to survey the prescribing pattern in Chinese patients with chronic schizophrenia in a state mental hospital in Singapore, and to compare our findings with those of surveys of Chinese patients in other countries. Method: We surveyed the use of neuroleptic and anticholinergic agents among Chinese patients with chronic schizophrenia (n = 534) in a state mental hospital in Singapore. Results: Fifty-nine per cent of the patients received two or more neuroleptics (median daily dose of 400 mg chlorpromazine equivalents, range 50–2875 mg). There were no differences in gender distribution between those prescribed multiple neuroleptics as against an older group of those receiving none or only one neuroleptic medication. Sixty-six per cent of the patients were receiving depot neuroleptics, with more than half of these subjects also receiving additional oral neuroleptics. Patients who were prescribed multiple neuroleptics received significantly higher total doses than those receiving just one neuroleptic. Only 1% of patients were prescribed an atypical neuroleptic. Sixty-five per cent of patients were prescribed an anticholinergic agent. Those prescribed anticholinergic agents were younger, in receipt of higher doses of neuroleptic medications and had lower Simpson-Angus scores for extrapyramidal side-effects. Conclusions: The pervasive use of multiple typical neuroleptics, marked under-utilisation of atypical neuroleptics, and the lack of anticholinergic medication in patients who might benefit from such treatment are issues of substantial concern, warranting action in both psychiatry practice and mental health policy.