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An audit of psychotropic prescribing practice of general adult psychiatrists in elderly demented patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Anna Maria Meaney  and
Colm Cooney
Anna Maria Meaney
Affiliation:
Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
Colm Cooney
Affiliation:
St. Vincent's Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland
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Abstract

Objectives: In Ireland elderly patients with behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are frequently prescribed anti-psychotic and other psychotropic agents. Elderly patients with dementia are more sensitive to adverse effects of medications. Despite this, little is known of the psychotropic prescribing practice of psychiatrists who treat this population. General adult psychiatrists in the Republic of Ireland continue to treat elderly patients with BPSD. The aim of this audit was to identify the prescribing practice of general adult psychiatrists in elderly patients with BPSD. We compare this practice to that of old age psychiatrists in the UK and that recommended by the American Psychiatric Association in 1997.

Methods: We devised a structured anonymous questionnaire, which was forwarded to all general adult psychiatrists in the Republic of Ireland.

Results: Atypical anti-psychotics are frequently prescribed by general adult psychiatrists to manage BPSD in elderly patients. The anti-psychotic agent of first preference chosen to treat psychotic symptoms in dementia is risperidone. Overall, sedative typical anti-psychotics are still the most frequently chosen anti-psychotic agents, chosen to manage behavioural symptoms in dementia. Benzodiazepines and trazadone are the most frequently prescribed other psychotropic agents chosen to manage agitated behaviour. In general the median doses of antipsychotics and other psychotropic medication used are in keeping with both the APA guidelines and practice of old age psychiatrists in the UK. A minority of practitioners (10%) specified at least one dosage regime that was grossly outside recommended ranges.

Conclusions: Overall, prescribing practice in terms of choice of treatment and dosage regime, of general adult psychiatrists in BPSD is in keeping with the best practice guidelines. However, sedating typical anti-psychotics and on occasion extraordinarily high doses of anti-psychotics are still prescribed.

Keywords

ElderlyDementiaPsychiatristPsychotropicPrescribing practice
Type
Audits
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 20 , Issue 2 , June 2003 , pp. 59 - 64
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2003

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