A survey of psychotropic drug use in elderly psychiatric inpatients

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the present study was to examine the use of medication in an elderly psychiatric inpatient population.Method: This was a retrospective survey of medication prescribed to the total elderly inpatient population of a single psychiatric hospital. Data collected included basic sociodemographic information, length of stay, number of admissions, frequency of psychiatric disturbance, diagnosis and medication prescribed.Results: A total of 340 cases were studied, 229 (67%) were female, 324 (95%) had been inpatients for more than one year, 111 (33%) suffered from dementia, while the remainder were in the functional category. In 57% more than one psychotropic drug was used. Over half (56%) of those with dementia were on neuroleptic medication.Conclusion: Psychotropic polypharmacy was found in this population of elderly patients. Management issues emphasised include the risk of polypharmacy in this age group, the need for staff education, an active pharmacy committee and alternative methods of managing behavioural disturbance in elderly patients in particular those with dementia.

Fifteen year comparison of antipsychotic use in people with dementia within hospital and nursing home settings: sequential cross‐sectional study

“…A large variation in prescription rates has been reported (Rochon et al, 2007) and rates rise when dementia becomes more severe (Macdonald et al, 2002;Lindesay et al, 2003). Comparative rates of past use in NHS long stay settings are less well described but were similar (Connelly, 1992;Connelly, 1993;Loane et al, 1997).…”