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Published:
Apr 23, 2013Keywords:
Antipsychotics Defined daily dose In.patients Polypharmacy
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Prevalence and Correlates of “High Dose” Antipsychotic Prescribing: Findings from a Hospital Audit
Abstract
Background: High dose antipsychotic prescribing is common in psychiatric care, despite a lack of its benefit from research evidence. While several studies have explored the prevalence and factors associated with high dose antipsychotic prescribing, no such report has emanated from a developing country like Nigeria.
Aim: The aims of this study were to determine the
prevalence of high dose prescribing among in.patients at a tertiary psychiatric hospital and to determine the pattern of antipsychotic drugs prescribed.
Materials and Methods,/b>: An audit of in.patients at a regional tertiary psychiatric facility was carried out. We examined case notes and conducted oral interviews where necessary, on all patients receiving antipsychotics using a proforma designed for the study.
Results: The prevalence of high dose prescribingwas 38% (65/171) using a prescribed daily dose/defined daily dose ratio of 1.5. The rateof antipsychotic polypharmacy was 7% (12/171). The atypical antipsychotic, olanzapinewas the most commonly prescribed antipsychotic in monotherapy. Predictors of high doseprescribing were diagnoses (P = 0.04), polypharmacy (P = 0.04), a history of previous in.patient
care (P = 0.02), and use of anticholinergic drugs (P = 0.01). Conclusions: High dose prescribing was common among in.patients audited. Further studies are needed to examine factors that promote high dose prescribing.
Keywords: Antipsychotics, Defined daily dose, In.patients, Polypharmacy
Aim: The aims of this study were to determine the
prevalence of high dose prescribing among in.patients at a tertiary psychiatric hospital and to determine the pattern of antipsychotic drugs prescribed.
Materials and Methods,/b>: An audit of in.patients at a regional tertiary psychiatric facility was carried out. We examined case notes and conducted oral interviews where necessary, on all patients receiving antipsychotics using a proforma designed for the study.
Results: The prevalence of high dose prescribingwas 38% (65/171) using a prescribed daily dose/defined daily dose ratio of 1.5. The rateof antipsychotic polypharmacy was 7% (12/171). The atypical antipsychotic, olanzapinewas the most commonly prescribed antipsychotic in monotherapy. Predictors of high doseprescribing were diagnoses (P = 0.04), polypharmacy (P = 0.04), a history of previous in.patient
care (P = 0.02), and use of anticholinergic drugs (P = 0.01). Conclusions: High dose prescribing was common among in.patients audited. Further studies are needed to examine factors that promote high dose prescribing.
Keywords: Antipsychotics, Defined daily dose, In.patients, Polypharmacy
