Antipsychotic polypharmacy in patients with schizophrenia: a multicentre comparative study in East Asia

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2125.2004.02102.x
• Publication Date: 2004-07-15T13:18:49Z
• Authors: Kang Sim; Alex Su; Senta Fujii; Shu‐yu Yang; Mian‐Yoon Chong; Gabor S. Ungvari; Tianmei Si; Eun K. Chung; Hin‐Yeung Tsang; Yiong H. Chan; Stephan Heckers; Naotaka Shinfuku; Chay H. Tan
• Keywords: Male; Asia; 610; Middle Aged; 3. Good health; Antipsychotic; 03 medical and health sciences; Cross-Sectional Studies; 0302 clinical medicine; Polypharmacy; Schizophrenia; Humans; Regression Analysis; Female; Comparative; Antipsychotic Agents

Aims Previous studies of the prescription patterns psychotropic medications in patients with schizophrenia have highlighted a high rate antipsychotic polypharmacy, but data Asia are sparse. This study seeks to examine prevalence polypharmacy and compare differences between receiving one vs. those more than antipsychotic. Methods Antipsychotic for sample 2399 from six countries territories was evaluated. Daily doses were converted standard chlorpromazine equivalents (CPZ). Results found 45.7% ( n = 1097) wide intercountry variations. Polypharmacy associated male gender [odds ratio (OR) 1.24, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.06, 1.46, P < 0.01], advanced age t −7.81, d.f. 2396, 0.001), psychiatric hospital setting (OR 1.34, CI 1.11, 1.62) as well higher daily CPZeq (411.47 983.10 day −1 , z −25.94, anticholinergic use 3.17, 2.65, 3.79, 0.001) less an atypical drug 0.83, 0.71, 0.98, 0.05). On multivariate analysis, country, duration illness significantly polypharmacy. Conclusion variations which likely be influenced by complex combination clinical, setting, cultural personal practice factors, requiring research.