[Study of antipsychotic use. Part 3 : Adults aged 25 or older, primarily those 65 or older diagnosed with dementia]

L'Institut national d'excellence en sante et en services sociaux (INESSS)
Record ID 32012000855
French
Authors' objectives: The aims of this study are to determine the prevalence and proportion of use of all types of antipsychotic therapies among adults aged 25 or older and to describe the use of antipsychotics by psychopathology group among those aged 65 or older, with a more detailed analysis of those diagnosed with dementia.
Authors' recommendations: The prevalence of antipsychotic use grew from 2006 to 2009; it was much higher and grew at a faster rate among adults aged 25 to 64 than among seniors. This increase is associated primarily with the use of long-term antipsychotic monotherapy, while the numbers pertaining to long-term combination therapy remained stable in both age groups. Despite a lack of official indication as to the use of antipsychotics, specifically atypical (second-generation) antipsychotics, in geriatrics, these drugs are being prescribed in Québec to treat several psychopathologies. The prevalence of antipsychotic use among seniors diagnosed with dementia has also increased, despite the advisories issued by Health Canada to health care professionals concerning the increased risk of mortality and cerebrovascular events associated with the use of atypical (second-generation) antipsychotics. The long-term use of high doses and doses associated with a high risk of mortality observed among these patients, without this use being supported by clinical evidence, gives cause for concern and highlights the need to establish guidelines for antipsychotic use among seniors, especially those diagnosed with dementia.
Details
Project Status: Completed
Year Published: 2012
English language abstract: An English language summary is available
Publication Type: Not Assigned
Country: Canada
MeSH Terms
  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Dementia
  • Adult
Contact
Organisation Name: Institut national d'excellence en sante et en services sociaux
Contact Address: L'Institut national d'excellence en sante et en services sociaux (INESSS) , 2021, avenue Union, bureau 10.083, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3A 2S9;Tel: 1+514-873-2563, Fax: 1+514-873-1369
Contact Name: demande@inesss.qc.ca
Contact Email: demande@inesss.qc.ca
Copyright: L'Institut national d'excellence en sante et en services sociaux (INESSS)
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