Use of neuroleptics: study of institutionalized elderly people in Montreal, Que.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of neuroleptic use in long-term care institutions in the greater Montreal, Que, area and to estimate the extent of use of atypical neuroleptics.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study in which single-day chart reviews were conducted to evaluate the prevalence of use of conventional and atypical neuroleptics.


METHODS
Ten long-term care institutions in the greater Montreal area.


METHODS
Two thousand, four hundred sixty residents aged 65 years or older living in 10 long-term care institutions in and around Montreal.


METHODS
Single-day medication profiles compiled by institutions' pharmacists.


RESULTS
Among patients in the 10 participating institutions, use of neuroleptics ranged from 15% to 37% with a mean of 25.2% (620/2460). Atypical neuroleptics were prescribed to 15.6%, conventional neuroleptics to 7.6%, and a combination of both to 2.0% of the 2460 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of neuroleptics was relatively prevalent, and there was wide use of atypical neuroleptics in Montreal-area long-term care institutions. There is little information on the safety and efficacy of these medications for institutionalized elderly people.
Champoux
Nathalie
N
Department of Family Medicine, University of Montreal, Quebec. nathalie.champoux@umontreal.ca
Monette
Johanne
J
Monette
Michèle
M
Galbaud du Fort
Guillaume
G
Wolfson
Christina
C
Le Cruguel
Jean-Pierre
JP
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011792:Quebec; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents