A. Fiorentini,F. Regispani, S. Beraldo, V.M.S. Ferrari, A.C. Omboni, L.S. Volonteri, M.C. Mauri - Vol. 10, June 2004, Issue 2
Testo Immagini Bibliografia Summary Indice
Utilizzo dei farmaci antipsicotici nel
Servizio Psichiatrico di Diagnosi e Cura (SPDC) dell’Ospedale Maggiore di
Milano negli anni 1989, 1999 e 2002
Antipsychotic drug use at the inpatient unit of the Milan Psychiatric
Clinic (Ospedale Maggiore) during 1989, 1999 and 2002
Objectives
Patterns of clinical use of antipsychotic agents have largely changed
in the past decade. The aim of the study was to assess these patterns in all
inpatients of the Milan Psychiatric Clinic (Ospedale Maggiore) during 1989
(N = 350), 1999 (N = 718) and 2002 (N = 628).
Methods
We reviewed all clinical records to determine inpatients’ sex, age, ICD-9
diagnosis at discharge and drug intake, its dosing and timing.
Results
In 2002, atypical antipsychotics as monotherapy at discharge were prescribed
most frequently (52.98%), compared to the classical ones (47.02%). Combinations
of two or more antipsychotic drugs were prescribed at discharge in 20.63%
of the patients in 1989, in 31.24% in 1999, and in 23.09% in 2002. The combination
of a typical with an atypical drug increased from 15.26% in 1999 to 42.26%
in 2002. The use of classical neuroleptics is maintained mainly for low potency
neuroleptics. The average daily dosage of antipsychotic drugs, expressed as
chlorpromazine equivalents, was significantly greater in 2002 (220,56 mg ±
9.44 SD) than in the 1999 (199,21 mg ± 6.21 SD) (p < 0.05).
Conclusions
The present study confirm the emerging trends toward higher total antipsychotic
doses and polypharmacy.