Factors associated with non-use of antipsychotics among older residents with schizophrenia in long-term institutional care.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate factors associated with non-use of antipsychotics among older schizophrenia residents in long-term institutional care.


METHODS
A retrospective study was designed using cross-sectional data gathered between 1 January and 30 June 2006 in Finland. Data were extracted from the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) database, based on Minimum Data Set for long-term care facilities (MDS-LC) assessments.


METHODS
Residents with schizophrenia 65 years or older were included, giving a total of 356 patient assessments.


RESULTS
The prevalence of older schizophrenia residents not receiving any antipsychotic medication was 18.5%. Factors independently associated with non-use of antipsychotics in the logistic regression model were: severe degree of functional impairment, severely impaired vision, any diagnosis of dementia and severe underweight. There was a negative association between non-use of antipsychotics and a factor 'had arrived from a psychiatric hospital'.


CONCLUSIONS
Severe degree of functional impairment and dementia were the main findings associated with non-use of antipsychotics in this resident group.
Alanen
Hanna-Mari
HM
Hatanpää Hospital Department of Psychogeriatrics, Tampere, Finland. hannamari.alanen@fimnet.fi
Finne-Soveri
Harriet
H
Leinonen
Esa
E
D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D016079:Refusal to Treat; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents