Pharmacological treatment of agitation in a nursing home.
Agitation is a significant problem in the management of residents in long-term care settings. This study assessed the pharmacological treatment of agitation in a 550-bed nursing home and correlated nurses' ratings of agitation with pharmacological treatment. It further examined the differential use of various psychotropic agents in the management of several sub-types of agitated behavior. Significant results included: (1) subjects designated as demented and agitated were most likely to receive neuroleptics, while non-demented agitated residents were most likely to be treated with a benzodiazepine; (2) agitated individuals received significantly less antidepressant treatment than non-agitated patients. The sub-typing of agitation may allow for the possibility of more selective treatment of various agitation syndromes.
Center on Aging, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC.
N
N
Billig
J
J
Cohen-Mansfield
S
S
Lipson
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D001569:Benzodiazepines