Nosa Godwin Igbinomwanhia1, Sunday Osasu Olotu2, Bawo Onesirosan James2. 1. Department of Clinical Services, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, P.M.B 1108, Benin City, Nigeria. 2. Department of Clinical Services, Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The study aimed to determine the prevalence, pattern and correlates of antipsychotic polypharmacy (APP) among outpatients with schizophrenia attending a tertiary psychiatric facility in Nigeria. METHOD: A cross-sectional study of 250 patients with schizophrenia attending the outpatient clinic of a regional tertiary psychiatric facility in Nigeria was undertaken. They were administered a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale and the Liverpool University Side Effects Rating Scale (LUNSERS). RESULTS: Of the 250 subjects interviewed, 176 (70.4%) were on APP. APP was significantly associated with higher prescribed chlorpromazine equivalent doses of antipsychotics (p < 0.001), increased frequency of dosing (p < 0.001), negative symptoms (p < 0.01), poorer functioning (p = 0.04) and greater side-effect burden (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: The APP rate reported from this study is high. Clinicians should be mindful of its impact on dosage and side-effect profiles as APP use is associated with negative symptoms and poor psychosocial functioning.
BACKGROUND: The study aimed to determine the prevalence, pattern and correlates of antipsychotic polypharmacy (APP) among outpatients with schizophrenia attending a tertiary psychiatric facility in Nigeria. METHOD: A cross-sectional study of 250 patients with schizophrenia attending the outpatient clinic of a regional tertiary psychiatric facility in Nigeria was undertaken. They were administered a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale and the Liverpool University Side Effects Rating Scale (LUNSERS). RESULTS: Of the 250 subjects interviewed, 176 (70.4%) were on APP. APP was significantly associated with higher prescribed chlorpromazine equivalent doses of antipsychotics (p < 0.001), increased frequency of dosing (p < 0.001), negative symptoms (p < 0.01), poorer functioning (p = 0.04) and greater side-effect burden (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: The APP rate reported from this study is high. Clinicians should be mindful of its impact on dosage and side-effect profiles as APP use is associated with negative symptoms and poor psychosocial functioning.
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