Predictive factors of the number and the dose of anti-psychotics in a cohort of schizophrenic patients.
BACKGROUND
Anti-psychotic prescription in schizophrenia is characterised in Europe by frequent associations and high doses. Nevertheless, few longitudinal epidemiological studies have explored anti-psychotic prescriptions.


OBJECTIVE
(1) To describe the evolution of prescription patterns across time; (2) to determine risk factors for prescription of high doses of anti-psychotics and for anti-psychotic combinations.


METHODS
Three thousand four hundred seventy three subjects were included in 1993. Data collected in 1993 and subsequently in 1996 and 1999, provided information on demographics, clinical status and prescription. In 1996, the response rate was 68.5% and 56.7% in 1999.


RESULTS
The number of anti-psychotics prescribed slightly decreased across time, while doses remained high for one-third of the patients. The factors predicting dose were: dose at previous evaluation, class of anti-psychotic and clinical severity. The factors predicting the number of anti-psychotics were: previous number and class of anti-psychotic and clinical severity.


CONCLUSIONS
Higher dosage and combinations were related more to physicians' habits than to patient characteristics, as is frequently observed in chronic disease.
Lukasiewicz
Michael
M
INSERM unit 669, Université Paris-XI, AP-HP, Maison de Solenn, 97 Boulevard de Port-Royal, Paris, France. michael.lukasiewicz@gmail.com
Gasquet
Isabelle
I
Casadebaig
Francoise
F
Philippe
Alain
A
Ledoux
Sylvie
S
Reynaud
Michel
M
Falissard
Bruno
B
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents