title: Pharmaco-epidemiological description of the population of the Marche Region (central Italy) treated with the antipsychotic drug olanzapine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In Italy, even though olanzapine has been discouraged for treatment of behaviour disorders in older patients affected by dementia, some physicians chose to prescribe for them. In response to this situation, the Italian Drug Agency (Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco, AIFA) promulgated a cautionary note.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study examined epidemiological indices for olanzapine prescriptions between 2004 and 2007 in the Marche Region of central Italy and in its provinces, to assess physician compliance with the AIFA note, and to determine whether there were differences in drug prescription between populations of the same territory, or differences based on gender or age group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our analyses revealed high olanzapine use among young men and mature women, suggesting that these groups are most prone to psychotic symptoms. Analysis revealed that olanzapine prescription in elderly patients was reduced in some provinces, in line with the AIFA note.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prudent use of olanzapine prescription, in compliance with the AIFA note, was noted throughout the Region. Furthermore, this work offers details that may be useful in future studies of adverse drug reactions.
authors.affiliation: Scuola di Scienze del Farmaco e dei Prodotti della Salute, Università degli Studi di Camerino, Camerino (MC), Italy. fiorenzo.mignini@unicam.it
authors.forename: Fiorenzo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mignini
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sabbatini
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pascucci
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Petrelli
authors.forename: Iolanda
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Grappasonni
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vanacore
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077152:Olanzapine; D017891:Pharmacoepidemiology; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000077152:Olanzapine