title: Frequency of use of QT-interval prolonging drugs in psychiatry in Belgium.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Drug-induced QT-prolongation is an established risk factor for Torsade de pointes and sudden cardiac death. The list of QT-prolonging drugs is extensive and includes many drugs commonly used in psychiatry.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study we performed a cross-sectional analysis of medication profiles to assess the prevalence of drug interactions potentially leading to QT-prolongation.
  
  
  METHODS
  6 psychiatric hospitals in Flanders, Belgium.
  
  
  METHODS
  For each patient, the full medication list was screened for the presence of interactions, with special attention to those with an increased risk for QT-prolongation. Current practice on QT monitoring and prevention of drug-induced arrhythmia was assessed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Number of drug interactions with risk of QT-prolongation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  592 patients (46 % female; mean age 55.7 ± 17.1 years) were included in the analysis. 113 QT-prolonging interactions were identified in 43 patients (7.3 %). QT-prolonging interactions occurred most frequently with antidepressants (n = 102) and antipsychotics (n = 100). The precautions and follow-up provided by the different institutions when combining QT-prolonging drugs were very diverse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Drug combinations that are associated with QT-prolongation are frequently used in the chronic psychiatric setting. Persistent efforts should be undertaken to provide caregivers with clear guidelines on how to use these drugs in a responsible and safe way.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Herestraat 49, Box 521, 3000, Leuven, Belgium, Eline.Vandael@pharm.kuleuven.be.
authors.forename: Eline
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vandael
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Marynissen
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reyntens
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Spriet
authors.forename: Joris
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vandenberghe
authors.forename: Rik
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Willems
authors.forename: Veerle
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Foulon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D001530:Belgium / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D059065:Medication Reconciliation; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D015995:Prevalence; D011570:Psychiatry; D012307:Risk Factors; D000078329:Workforce
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents