Longitudinal study of psychotropic drug use by elderly nursing home residents.
In this longitudinal study of patterns of use of psychotropic drugs by a cohort of elderly nursing home residents (N = 5,752), drug use was examined upon admission, 3 months later, and at discharge/end of study. At each time point, 17% of the cohort used neuroleptics. Half of the subjects discontinued neuroleptics at each time point; however, a similar number were initiated on the drug. Benzodiazepines were used by 21%, 15%, and 15% at each of the three time points, respectively. Twice as many people were taken off benzodiazepines as initiated on them following admission. The 5% rate of antidepressant use was constant across the three time periods, although only half of those who took antidepressants upon admission were also taking them upon discharge/end of study. The amount of change due to discontinuation of these drugs and adjustment in dosage levels challenges the stereotype of the "neglected psychotropic drug user" in nursing homes.
Garrard
J
J
School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
Dunham
T
T
Makris
L
L
Cooper
S
S
Heston
L L
LL
Ratner
E R
ER
Zelterman
D
D
Kane
R L
RL
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D004363:Drug Utilization; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010343:Patient Admission; D010351:Patient Discharge
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines