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.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 248-254 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Canadian Journal of Psychiatry |
| Volume | 55 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| Publication status | Published - 2010 Apr |
Fingerprint
Keywords
- Aging
- Antipsychotics
- Elderly
- Prescribing patterns
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychiatry and Mental health
Cite this
Are antipsychotic prescribing patterns different in older and younger adults? A survey of 1357 psychiatric inpatients in Toronto. / Sproule, Beth A.; Lake, Jennifer; Mamo, David C.; Uchida, Hiroyuki; Mulsant, Benoit H.
In: Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, Vol. 55, No. 4, 04.2010, p. 248-254.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Are antipsychotic prescribing patterns different in older and younger adults?
T2 - A survey of 1357 psychiatric inpatients in Toronto
AU - Sproule, Beth A.
AU - Lake, Jennifer
AU - Mamo, David C.
AU - Uchida, Hiroyuki
AU - Mulsant, Benoit H.
PY - 2010/4
Y1 - 2010/4
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - Aging
KW - Antipsychotics
KW - Elderly
KW - Prescribing patterns
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77951661765&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=77951661765&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
C2 - 20416148
AN - SCOPUS:77951661765
VL - 55
SP - 248
EP - 254
JO - Canadian Journal of Psychiatry
JF - Canadian Journal of Psychiatry
SN - 0706-7437
IS - 4
ER -