Psychotropic drug use among the elderly: risk factors involved in long-term use.
This study explores the environmental, clinical, and personality factors that are associated with increased chronic psychotropic drug consumption in elderly patients. We collected data from 88 elderly individuals living in nursing homes, home-dwellings, and residential homes between December 2003 and June 2004. We assessed each subject's (1) current (previous four weeks) and chronic (>90 days) psychotropic drug consumption, (2) mood and anxiety (GHQ), and (3) personality (Temperament and Character Inventory). We found that 63% of the elderly subjects studied had used psychotropic drugs at least once and that one out of three elderly chronically consumed psychotropic drugs. Personality factors like harm avoidance and low level of persistence seem to be associated with chronic consumption.
Aubron
Valérie
V
Université Victor Segalen Bordeaux II, 3 ter Place de la Victoire, 33076 Bordeaux Cedex, France.
Camus
Vincent
V
Bouazzaoui
Badiâa
B
Pélissolo
Antoine
A
Michel
Grégory
G
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs