title: Antipsychotic polypharmacy in inpatients with schizophrenia in Asia (2001-2009).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to identify trends in the use of antipsychotic polypharmacy (APP) and their demographic and clinical correlates in the treatment of schizophrenia in Asia between 2001 and 2009.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 6,761 schizophrenia inpatients in 9 Asian countries and territories were examined; 2,399 in 2001, 2,136 in 2004, and 2,226 in 2009. Patients’ socio-demographic and clinical characteristics and prescriptions of psychotropic drugs were recorded using a standardized protocol and data collection procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The proportion of APP prescription decreased from 46.8 % in 2001, to 38.3 % in 2004, and increased to 43.4 % in 2009, with wide intercountry variations at each survey. Multiple logistic regression analysis of the whole sample revealed that patients on APP were younger, had a higher dose of antipsychotics in chlorpromazine equivalents, and more severe positive and negative symptoms. They were also more likely to receive depot and fi rst-generation antipsychotic drugs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The frequency of APP prescription varied between countries and territories, suggesting that a host of clinical and socio-cultural factors played a role in determining APP use in Asia. To resolve the discrepancy between treatment recommendation and clinical practice, regular reviews of prescription patterns are needed.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, P. R. China. Xyutly@gmail.com
authors: Y-T
authors: YT
authors: Xiang
authors: C-Y
authors: CY
authors: Wang
authors: T-M
authors: TM
authors: Si
authors: E H M
authors: EH
authors: Lee
authors: Y-L
authors: YL
authors: He
authors: G S
authors: GS
authors: Ungvari
authors: H F K
authors: HF
authors: Chiu
authors: S-Y
authors: SY
authors: Yang
authors: M-Y
authors: MY
authors: Chong
authors: C-H
authors: CH
authors: Tan
authors: E-H
authors: EH
authors: Kua
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Fujii
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Sim
authors: K H
authors: KH
authors: Yong
authors: J K
authors: JK
authors: Trivedi
authors: E-K
authors: EK
authors: Chung
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Udomratn
authors: K-Y
authors: KY
authors: Chee
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Sartorius
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Shinfuku
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001208:Asia; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019338:Polypharmacy; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000639:trends; D011570:Psychiatry; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations