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https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/23662
Title: | Are antipsychotic prescribing patterns different in older and younger adults? : a survey of 1357 psychiatric inpatients in Toronto |
Authors: | Sproule, Beth A. Lake, Jennifer Mamo, David Uchida, Hiroyuki Mulsant, Benoit H. |
Keywords: | Antipsychotic drugs Drugs -- Prescribing |
Issue Date: | 2010 |
Publisher: | Sage Publications, Inc. |
Citation: | Sproule, B. A., Lake, J., Mamo, D. C., Uchida, H., & Mulsant, B. H. (2010). Are antipsychotic prescribing patterns different in older and younger adults?: a survey of 1357 psychiatric inpatients in Toronto. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 55(4), 248-254. |
Abstract: | Objective: To compare antipsychotic prescribing patterns in younger (aged 59 years or younger) and older (aged 60 years or older) patients with psychotic or mood disorders. Method: Pharmacy records of all patients discharged from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health over a 21-month period were reviewed. A total of 1357 patients who were prescribed an antipsychotic at the time of their discharge were included in the analysis (956 with a primary psychotic disorder and 401 with a primary mood disorder). World Health Organization-defined daily doses were used as the standardized dosing unit. Results: Both in patients with a primary psychotic disorder and in patients with a primary mood disorder, the prescribing patterns were similar in older and younger patients, with no statistical difference in the proportions receiving first-generation antipsychotics, second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs), multiple antipsychotics, or long-acting (depot) antipsychotics. Overall, the mean daily antipsychotic doses were lower only in the older group of patients with a primary mood disorder. However, the mean dose of SGAs was about 30% lower in older patients in both diagnostic groups. Regardless of age, patients with a mood disorder were prescribed lower doses of antipsychotics than those with a psychotic disorder. Conclusions: Our data suggest that older patients are prescribed lower antipsychotic dosages primarily when using SGAs. This finding emphasizes the need for dose-finding studies assessing both the efficacy and the safety of antipsychotics in older patients with a psychotic or mood disorder. |
URI: | https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar//handle/123456789/23662 |
Appears in Collections: | Scholarly Works - FacM&SPsy |
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