Prescription Rate Of Antipsychotics Research Articles

Trends in the use of psychotropic drugs in people with intellectual disability in Taiwan: A nationwide outpatient service study, 1997–2007

This study aims to examine trends in outpatient psychotropic drug use among people with intellectual disabilities in Taiwan. The NHI outpatient medication records between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2007 for people with intellectual disabilities were analyzed to observe the percent change, prevalence and prescription trends in psychotropic drugs. The overall prevalence of psychotropic medication increased from 17.82% to 23.22% during the study period. Results from stepwise logistic analysis demonstrated that females, the elderly, and individuals suffering from catastrophic disease were more prone to receive psychotropic drugs and that those with mild intellectual disability were less likely to receive psychotropic drugs. The percentage change in prescription rates of antipsychotics, hypnotics/sedatives, and antidepressants were 85.30%, 127.25%, and 167.50%, respectively, and the trends were statistically significant (p<0.05). Taiwan's NHI program and off-label use of psychotropic drugs might have attributed to this trend.

PP24 Interventions to Reduce Inappropriate Prescribing of Antipsychotic Medications to People with Dementia Living in Residential Care: A Systematic Review

BackgroundThe use of antipsychotic medications in dementia is associated with increased mortality. A significant proportion of long-term antipsychotic use is believed to be inappropriate. The Department of Health National Dementia...

Psychotropic medication use in youth at high risk for psychosis: Comparison of baseline data from two research cohorts 1998–2005 and 2008–2011

BackgroundAntipsychotic medication use rates have generally been rising among youth with psychiatric disorders, but little is known about use rates of antipsychotics or other psychotropic medications in patients at high risk for psychosis. MethodBaseline psychotropic medication use rates were compared in two research cohorts of patients at high risk for psychosis that enrolled between 1998–2005 (n=391) and 2008–2011 (n=346). Treatment durations and antipsychotic doses were described for cohort 2. ResultsMedian age was 17years in cohort 1 and 18years in cohort 2. The rate of prescription of any psychotropic at baseline was roughly 40% for each cohort. Antipsychotic prescription rates were 24% among sites that permitted baseline antipsychotic use in cohort 1 and 18% in the cohort 2; the decline did not quite reach statistical significance (p=0.064). In cohort 2 the mean±SD baseline chlorpromazine-equivalent dose was 121±108mg/d, and lifetime duration of antipsychotic treatment was 3.8±5.9months. DiscussionAlthough the rate of antipsychotic prescription among high-risk youth may have fallen slightly, the nearly one-in-five rate in the second cohort still constitutes a significant exposure. Mitigating factors were that doses and durations of treatment were low. As for other nonpsychotic conditions, it is incumbent on our field to develop alternative treatments for high-risk patients and to generate additional evidence for or against the efficacy of antipsychotics to help define their appropriate role if alternative treatments fail.

Child neuropsychopharmacology: good news… the glass is half full

Child neuropsychopharmacology: good news… the glass is half full

The management of behavioural problems associated with dementia in rural aged care

In Australia 60-80% of all residents in aged care facilities have a cognitive impairment related to dementia with this figure predicted to increase. The associated behavioural and psychological disorders associated with dementia frequently result in the prescription of antipsychotic drugs to assist in limiting disruptive or concerning unmet needs behaviour. Antipsychotic prescription rates in aged care facilities are estimated to be as high as 80% despite the well known adverse effects in this population. Person centred care approaches to management of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) has not been widely implemented despite its reported effectiveness. Other interventions aimed at reducing antipsychotic use in aged care has been limited and the barriers to the use of non pharmacological strategies are poorly researched. In this study a 43 point questionnaire was distributed to 6 rural aged care facilities to assess nurses' knowledge of non pharmacological and pharmacological interventions, and the frequency, perceived barriers and efficacy of both strategies. Resources and information bases utilised in behaviour management was also explored. The results indicated that staff have a good knowledge of possible underlying causes of BPSD, but a poor understanding of appropriate methods of management and resources available to assist them. Time constraints were frequently cited by respondents as problematic in managing behavioural problems. The results of this study suggest the need for utilisation of tools to assist nurses to identify target behaviours, implementation of appropriate management and access to the resources available.

Grip on challenging behaviour: a multidisciplinary care programme for managing behavioural problems in nursing home residents with dementia. Study protocol

BackgroundBehavioural problems are common in nursing home residents with dementia and they often are burdensome for both residents and nursing staff. In this study, the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a new care programme for managing behavioural problems will be evaluated.Methods/DesignThe care programme is based on Dutch national guidelines. It will consist of four steps: detection, analysis, treatment and evaluation. A stepped wedge design will be used. A total of 14 dementia special care units will implement the care programme. The primary outcome is behavioural problems. Secondary outcomes will include quality of life, prescription rate of antipsychotics, use of physical restraints and workload and job satisfaction of nursing staff. The effect of the care programme will be estimated using multilevel linear regression analysis. An economic evaluation from a societal perspective will also be carried out.DiscussionThe care programme is expected to be cost-effective and effective in decreasing behavioural problems, workload of nursing staff and in increasing quality of life of residents.Trial registrationThe Netherlands National Trial Register (NTR). Trial number: NTR 2141

Reasons to Prescribe Antipsychotics for the Behavioral Symptoms of Dementia: A Survey in Dutch Nursing Homes Among Physicians, Nurses, and Family Caregivers

Despite serious safety concerns, prescription rates of antipsychotics for the treatment of the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia remain high, especially in nursing homes. This high prevalence of antipsychotic use cannot be explained by the modest success rate reported in the literature. In this study, we aim at clarifying the reasons for prescribing an antipsychotic drug in behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia and look at the role of nurses and family caregivers in the decision-making process that precedes the prescription of an antipsychotic drug. Questionnaire used in a one-on-one interview with elderly care physicians, nurses, and family caregivers. We conducted a survey in 23 nursing homes in the Netherlands. On each dementia ward, the physician selected 1 or 2 patients who started antipsychotics most recently. An interviewer then held a structured questionnaire with the physician, the nurse, and the first relative of the patient. The first part of the interview consisted of questions about the general ideas of the physicians and the second part consisted of case-related questions to physicians, nurses, and family caregivers. Physicians, nurses, and family caregivers generally consider the possible benefits of antipsychotics to outweigh the risk of side effects. The main reasons to start therapy are agitation and aggression. Physicians felt pressured by nurses to prescribe in 17% of cases. Physicians felt supported by the guideline of the Dutch Association of Elderly Care Physicians. The estimated average success rate in the discussed cases (the patient is expected to improve on the target behavior) among physicians was 50%, nurses reported 53%, and relatives 55%. The most frequently expected adverse reactions were increased fall risk, sedation, and parkinsonism. Nurses expected cognitive decline. The family felt insufficiently informed about the side effects in 44% of the cases. The interviewed nursing home physicians and nurses expect almost half of their patients with dementia and behavioral disturbances to benefit from antipsychotic therapy. Serious side effects were expected to occur only sporadically. These expectations may contribute to the high rate of antipsychotic use among these patients.

FGAs Not Necessarily Safer Than SGAs in Elderly

FGAs Not Necessarily Safer Than SGAs in Elderly

Effect of regulatory warnings on antipsychotic prescription rates among elderly patients with dementia: a population-based time-series analysis

Three warnings of serious adverse events associated with the use of atypical antipsychotic drugs among elderly patients with dementia were sent to health care professionals in Canada. We assessed the impact of these warnings on prescription rates of antipsychotic drugs in this patient population. We used prescription drug claims data from Ontario to calculate prescription rates of atypical and conventional antipsychotic drugs among elderly patients with dementia from May 1, 2000, to Feb. 28, 2007. We performed a time-series analysis to estimate the effect of each warning on rates of antipsychotic drug use. Before the first warning, growth in the use of atypical antipsychotics was responsible for an increasing rate of overall antipsychotic use. Each warning was associated with a small relative decrease in the predicted growth in the use of atypical antipsychotic drugs: a 5.0% decrease after the first warning, 4.9% after the second and 3.2% after the third (each p < 0.05). The overall prescription rate of antipsychotic drugs among patients with dementia increased by 20%, from 1512 per 100 000 elderly patients in September 2002, the month before the first warning, to 1813 per 100 000 in February 2007, 20 months after the last warning. Although the warnings slowed the growth in the use of atypical antipsychotic drugs among patients with dementia, they did not reduce the overall prescription rate of these potentially dangerous drugs. More effective interventions are necessary to improve postmarket drug safety in vulnerable populations.

Antipsychotic-Related Abnormal Involuntary Movements and Metabolic and Endocrine Side Effects in Children and Adolescents

There has been a remarkable increase in prescription rates of antipsychotics in children and adolescents in recent years. Their side effects are a neglected area of research in this population, despite its vulnerability. In this cross-sectional study, we compared the presence of side effects in 60 children and adolescents who had taken antipsychotic medication for less than 1 month and 66 who had been receiving treatment with antipsychotics for more than 12 months. Mean age for the total sample was 15.62 years (SD 1.85). Groups did not differ in age, gender, or diagnosis. A total of 21.7% of short-term treatment group patients and 37.9% of longer-term treatment group patients presented mild dyskinetic movements (p = 0.004). Hyperprolactinemia was present in 78.6% and 48.5% in the short-term and longer-term treatment groups, respectively. Body mass index (p < 0.001), cholesterol levels (p < 0.001), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) (p = 0.018) were higher in the longer-term treatment group. The use of these drugs in these populations merits careful scrutiny.

Pharmacological treatment of acute mania in psychiatric in-patients between 1994 and 2004

Background In a cross-section approach we investigated prescription practice in acute mania in 63 German, Swiss and Austrian hospitals between 1994 and 2004. Methods Our data were gathered from a large drug safety program (AMSP) within which on two reference days each year all administered drugs are recorded. For the present study, all cases with a primary diagnosis of acute euphoric mania ( n = 1291) or mixed-state mania ( n = 143) were identified. Prescription rates from two periods, 1994 to 1999 and 2000 to 2004, were compared. Results In euphoric mania, prescription of lithium decreased by about one-fifth (43.3% to 34.5%, p < 0.01), while prescription of anticonvulsants increased by one-half (from 40.0% to 60.7%, p < 0.001). Administration of atypical antipsychotics more than doubled (18.5% to 43.9%, p < 0.001), while use of typical antipsychotics decreased significantly (56.9% to 27.8%, p < 0.001). Overall prescription rates of antipsychotics (79.6% vs. 81.6%) and antidepressants (14.0% vs. 15.5%) remained stable, while administration of tranquilizers increased significantly (26.3% to 34.3%, p < 0.01). In mixed-state mania, similar trends over time to those seen in euphoric mania were observed for lithium (43.2% to 33.3%), anticonvulsants (50.0% to 69.7%, p < 0.05) and tranquilizers (22.7% to 40.4%). Prescription rates of antipsychotics slightly increased (63.6% to 72.7%), while prescription of antidepressants slightly decreased (54.5% to 46.5%). Polypharmacy was a common phenomenon: patients with euphoric mania were treated with a mean number of 2.9 ± 1.2 psychotropic agents, and patients with mixed-state mania with 3.3 ± 1.5 psychotropic agents. Both groups showed a significant increase over time. Second-generation atypical antipsychotics were adopted quite rapidly for the treatment of acute mania considering the availability of the scientific evidence at that time. Off-label use was a common phenomenon. Deviations from recommended guidelines were found mainly in the use of antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs both in mixed-state and euphoric mania. Conclusions Naturalistic prescription studies like this may encourage a critical scrutiny of clinical treatment habits and may also drive further research thus moderating potential differences between evidence-based knowledge and everyday clinical practice.

Trends in the Rate and Type of Antipsychotic Medications Prescribed to Persons With Schizophrenia

This article examines trends in antipsychotic medication use in a treated population of publicly funded patients with schizophrenia between 1991 and 1996. Findings from administrative claims data show that antipsychotic prescription rates increased from 79 percent to 83 percent between 1991 and 1996. Atypical antipsychotics were used by 39 percent of the population and comprised 41 percent of all antipsychotic agents prescribed compared to 59 percent for typical agents. Duration on a typical agent was 8 months versus 7.4 months for newer atypicals, with duration 11 months for those on clozapine. The highest switching behavior is found in users of atypicals (58% versus 25% for those on typicals) as is the percent of those who received an antidepressant concurrently with an antipsychotic, which was 44 percent for newer atypical users versus 31 percent for typical users. The lowest antidepressant use was among clozapine users (28%). Atypical users were more likely to be younger Caucasian men with higher use of inpatient and ambulatory mental health services compared to those on typical medications. The newer antipsychotic medications appear to be displacing traditional medications; however, contrary to what the literature suggests, duration is shorter and switching behavior and concurrent use of antidepressants is higher than in typical users.