The use of psychoactive drugs in elderly patients with psychiatric disorders: survey conducted in twelve Veterans Administration hospitals.
A survey conducted at 12 VA hospitals included the collection of detailed information on the use of psychoactive drugs in 1,276 elderly psychiatric patients. On the day of the survey, 61 per cent of the patients were receiving psychoactive drugs. Prescription practices relating to the choice of drugs, prevalence of drug use, dosage, combination drug preparations, and antiparkinson agents are discussed in terms of such factors as the patient's age and the diagnosis. Also discussed is the literature on psychoactive drugs, particularly as it pertains to elderly populations.
D000368:Aged; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects; D001925:Brain Damage, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy; D003704:Dementia / Q000188:drug therapy; D004088:Dihydroergotoxine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004877:Ergoloid Mesylates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006757:Hospital Units; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010640:Phenothiazines; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy; D014481:United States; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D010640:Phenothiazines; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D004088:Dihydroergotoxine; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D004877:Ergoloid Mesylates