Psychotropic medications and the transition into care: a national data linkage study

Source: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society Area: Evidence > Medicines Management > References Objectives: To determine whether excessive and often inappropriate or dangerous psychotropic drug dispensing to older adults is unique to care homes or is a continuation of community treatment. Design: Population-based data-linkage study using prescription drug information. Setting: Northern Ireland's national prescribing database and care home information from the national inspectorate. Participants: 250,617 individuals aged 65 and older. Measurements: Prescription information was extracted for all psychotropic drugs included in the British National Formulary (BNF) categories 4.1.1, 4.1.2 and 4.2.2 (hypnotics, anxiolytics and antipsychotics) dispensed over the study period.  Repeated cross-sectional analysis was used to monitor changes in psychotropic drug dispensing over time. Results: Psychotropic drug use was higher in care homes than the community; 20.3% of those in care homes were dispensed an antipsychotic in Jan 2009, compared with 1.1% of those in ...
Source: NeLM - Care of Older People - Category: Geriatrics Source Type: news