| Title | Antipsychotics and dementia in Canada: a retrospective cross-sectional study of four health sectors |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2017 |
| Authors | Rios S, Perlman CM, Costa A, Heckman G, Hirdes JP, Mitchell L |
| Journal | BMC Geriatr |
| Volume | 17 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pagination | 244 |
| Date Published | Oct 23 |
| ISBN Number | 1471-2318 (Electronic)<br/>1471-2318 (Linking) |
| Accession Number | 29061129 |
| Keywords | *antipsychotics, *dementia, *Home care, *InterRAI, *long term care, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Antipsychotic Agents/*therapeutic use, Behavioral Symptoms/*drug therapy/epidemiology/etiology, Canada/epidemiology, Cross-Sectional Studies, Dementia/complications/*drug therapy/epidemiology, Female, Home Care Services/statistics & numerical data, Humans, Inappropriate Prescribing/*statistics & numerical data, Long-Term Care/statistics & numerical data, Male, Mental Disorders/drug therapy/epidemiology/etiology, Psychotic Disorders/*drug therapy/epidemiology/etiology, Retrospective Studies |
| Abstract | BACKGROUND: Antipsychotic medications are not recommended for the management of symptoms of dementia, particularly among persons with no behavioral or psychological symptoms. We examine patterns of antipsychotic medication use among persons with dementia across health sectors in Canada, with a focus on factors related to use among those without behavioral or psychotic symptoms. METHODS: Using a retrospective cross-sectional design, this study examines antipsychotic use among adults aged 65 or older with dementia in home care (HC), complex continuing care (CCC), long-term care (LTC), and among alternate level care patients in acute hospitals (ALC). Using clinical data from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2014, the prevalence of antipsychotic medication use was estimated by the presence of behavioral and psychotic symptoms. Logistic regression was used to identify sector specific factors associated with antipsychotic use in the absence of behavioral and psychotic symptoms. RESULTS: The total prevalence of antipsychotic use among older adults with dementia was 19% in HC, 42% in ALC, 35% in CCC, and 37% in LTC. This prevalence ranged from 39% (HC) to 70% (ALC) for those with both behavioral and psychotic symptoms and from 12% (HC) to 32% (ALC) among those with no symptoms. The regression models identified a number of variables were related to antipsychotic use in the absence of behavior or psychotic symptoms, such as bipolar disorder (OR = 5.63 in CCC; OR = 5.52 in LTC), anxious complaints (OR = 1.54 in LTC to 2.01 in CCC), and wandering (OR = 1.83 in ALC). CONCLUSIONS: Potentially inappropriate use of antipsychotic medications is prevalent among older adults with dementia across health sectors. The variations in prevalence observed from community to facility based care suggests that system issues may exist in appropriately managing persons with dementia. |
| DOI | 10.1186/s12877-017-0636-8 |
| PMCID | PMC5651600 |
| Link | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5651600/pdf/12877_2017_Arti... |
