OBJECTIVES: This study aims to: (a) describe the type and doses of psychotropic drugs received by outpatients with schizophrenia in Italy; (b) explore the relationship between prescription and patients' clinical conditions, disability and socio-demographic characteristics; and (c) estimate the percentage of patients receiving polypharmacy and antipsychotics within the official recommended ranges. METHODS: A total of 682 patients with schizophrenia were consecutively recruited in 30 Italian mental health departments, randomly selected taking into account the geographic location and population density of their catchment areas. RESULTS: Of the sample, 98% were in treatment with neuroleptics, 47% received benzodiazepines, 25% were on anticholinergics, 10% were prescribed antidepressants and 8% were on mood stabilisers. Polypharmacy was found in 29% of the sample. Patients treated with one neuroleptic received this within therapeutic doses in 77% of cases. In patients who received two neuroleptics (24%), the former was prescribed within the official range in 71% of cases and the latter in 46%. Polytherapy was more frequently prescribed in patients treated with typicals (60% versus 34%) and in those who also received benzodiazepines (61% versus 41%) and anticholinergics (44% versus 16%). Patients in treatment with atypicals (45%) were mainly younger and lived in highly populated areas. Depot medications (25%) were more frequently prescribed to patients living in areas of low population density, who were older and who had a lower educational level, a longer duration of illness and milder anxiety/depression symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The consistent percentage of patients receiving polypharmacy and neuroleptics outside the therapeutic doses highlights the need to promote interventions aimed at increasing a rational use of psychotropic drugs among mental health professionals.
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to: (a) describe the type and doses of psychotropic drugs received by outpatients with schizophrenia in Italy; (b) explore the relationship between prescription and patients' clinical conditions, disability and socio-demographic characteristics; and (c) estimate the percentage of patients receiving polypharmacy and antipsychotics within the official recommended ranges. METHODS: A total of 682 patients with schizophrenia were consecutively recruited in 30 Italian mental health departments, randomly selected taking into account the geographic location and population density of their catchment areas. RESULTS: Of the sample, 98% were in treatment with neuroleptics, 47% received benzodiazepines, 25% were on anticholinergics, 10% were prescribed antidepressants and 8% were on mood stabilisers. Polypharmacy was found in 29% of the sample. Patients treated with one neuroleptic received this within therapeutic doses in 77% of cases. In patients who received two neuroleptics (24%), the former was prescribed within the official range in 71% of cases and the latter in 46%. Polytherapy was more frequently prescribed in patients treated with typicals (60% versus 34%) and in those who also received benzodiazepines (61% versus 41%) and anticholinergics (44% versus 16%). Patients in treatment with atypicals (45%) were mainly younger and lived in highly populated areas. Depot medications (25%) were more frequently prescribed to patients living in areas of low population density, who were older and who had a lower educational level, a longer duration of illness and milder anxiety/depression symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The consistent percentage of patients receiving polypharmacy and neuroleptics outside the therapeutic doses highlights the need to promote interventions aimed at increasing a rational use of psychotropic drugs among mental health professionals.
Authors: L Magliano; G Fadden; M Madianos; J M de Almeida; T Held; M Guarneri; C Marasco; P Tosini; M Maj Journal: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Date: 1998-09 Impact factor: 4.328
Authors: Joyce C West; Steven C Marcus; Joshua Wilk; Lisa M Countis; Darrel A Regier; Mark Olfson Journal: Schizophr Bull Date: 2007-12-18 Impact factor: 9.306
Authors: Andrea Ballerini; Roberto M Boccalon; Giancarlo Boncompagni; Massimo Casacchia; Francesco Margari; Lina Minervini; Roberto Righi; Federico Russo; Andrea Salteri; Sonia Frediani; Andrea Rossi; Marco Scatigna Journal: Ann Gen Psychiatry Date: 2007-11-05 Impact factor: 3.455