title: Psychotropic polypharmacy for the treatment of bipolar disorder in Taiwan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Psychotropic polypharmacy in the treatment of bipolar disorder has proliferated. Yet evidence about the prevalence and predictors of different combinations of polypharmacy in inpatient settings is scarce.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Nationwide Psychiatric Inpatient Medical Claims (2000-2007) in Taiwan were used to examine prescriptions for mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, and antidepressants among recently discharged patients with bipolar disorder (N=5,449; 51% women, mean±SD age=36.8±12.4).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 71% of prescriptions involved between-class polypharmacy, and 17% involved within-class polypharmacy. Patients older than 50 and patients at medical centers (>500 beds) were less likely to receive polypharmacy. Lower prescribed doses predicted polypharmacy. Receiving polypharmacy was not associated with a higher rate of readmission within one year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was substantial use of various forms of polypharmacy in the treatment of inpatients with bipolar disorder. Randomized studies should be used to compare the cost-effectiveness of common psychotropic combinations and monotherapy to treat bipolar disorder.
authors.forename: Galen Chin-Lun
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: Shu-Yu
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Yuefan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Shih-Ku
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019338:Polypharmacy; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013624:Taiwan
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D018692:Antimanic Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs