BACKGROUND: The use of psychotropic drugs has increased over recent years in France. GPs are the first prescribers, especially for older patients. AIM: To analyse discrepancies between GPs' opinions and practice when prescribing psychotropic drugs to older patients. SETTING: Postal surveys sent to GPs all over mainland France. DESIGN OF STUDY: Cross-sectional postal study. METHOD: A questionnaire collected data on characteristics of GPs' practices, their opinions about psychotropic drug consumption in older people, and a full description of their last older patient receiving a psychotropic drug and seen last by the GP on that particular day. RESULTS: A total of 350 participating GPs saw 2498 patients aged > or =65 years. Among these patients, the prevalence of psychotropic use was 32.1% (803/2498) for anxiolytics/hypnotics, and 17.5% for antidepressants (438/2498). A total of 91% of GPs agreed that it was possible to reduce or stop psychotropic drugs for these patients. Characteristics of 339 patients taking psychotropic drug were reported: 85.8% (291/339) received at least one anxiolytic/hypnotic and 56.9% (193/339) received at least one antidepressant; there were prescribed for more than 1 year in 68.4% (199/291) and 43.5% (84/193) of the cases respectively. GPs stated that it was possible to reduce or stop anxiolytic/hypnotic drugs for only 27% (79/291) of these patients. Barriers to doing this were patients' refusal (79%), and the absence of any local offer of psychotherapy (73%) or alternative therapy (70%). CONCLUSION: A mismatch exists between GPs' intent (91%) and practice (27%) regarding reduction of psychotropic prescription in individuals aged > or =65 years. The barriers encountered should be examined further to help physicians improve management of psychotropic prescription.
BACKGROUND: The use of psychotropic drugs has increased over recent years in France. GPs are the first prescribers, especially for older patients. AIM: To analyse discrepancies between GPs' opinions and practice when prescribing psychotropic drugs to older patients. SETTING: Postal surveys sent to GPs all over mainland France. DESIGN OF STUDY: Cross-sectional postal study. METHOD: A questionnaire collected data on characteristics of GPs' practices, their opinions about psychotropic drug consumption in older people, and a full description of their last older patient receiving a psychotropic drug and seen last by the GP on that particular day. RESULTS: A total of 350 participating GPs saw 2498 patients aged > or =65 years. Among these patients, the prevalence of psychotropic use was 32.1% (803/2498) for anxiolytics/hypnotics, and 17.5% for antidepressants (438/2498). A total of 91% of GPs agreed that it was possible to reduce or stop psychotropic drugs for these patients. Characteristics of 339 patients taking psychotropic drug were reported: 85.8% (291/339) received at least one anxiolytic/hypnotic and 56.9% (193/339) received at least one antidepressant; there were prescribed for more than 1 year in 68.4% (199/291) and 43.5% (84/193) of the cases respectively. GPs stated that it was possible to reduce or stop anxiolytic/hypnotic drugs for only 27% (79/291) of these patients. Barriers to doing this were patients' refusal (79%), and the absence of any local offer of psychotherapy (73%) or alternative therapy (70%). CONCLUSION: A mismatch exists between GPs' intent (91%) and practice (27%) regarding reduction of psychotropic prescription in individuals aged > or =65 years. The barriers encountered should be examined further to help physicians improve management of psychotropic prescription.
Authors: J-P Lépine; I Gasquet; V Kovess; S Arbabzadeh-Bouchez; L Nègre-Pagès; G Nachbaur; A-F Gaudin Journal: Encephale Date: 2005 Mar-Apr Impact factor: 1.291
Authors: Rebecca Dickinson; Peter Knapp; Allan O House; Vandana Dimri; Arnold Zermansky; Duncan Petty; John Holmes; David K Raynor Journal: Br J Gen Pract Date: 2010-04 Impact factor: 5.386
Authors: Secundino López-Pousa; Oriol Turró-Garriga; Laia Calvó-Perxas; Olga Carmona; Jordi Gich; Elisabet Alsina; Fabià Màrquez; Marta Viñas; Josefa Turbau; Joan Vilalta-Franch; Anna Maria Roig; Josep Garre-Olmo Journal: Drugs Aging Date: 2012-09 Impact factor: 3.923