Psychotropic medication use among elderly nursing home residents in Slovenia: cross-sectional study

• DOI: 10.3325/cmj.2011.52.16
• Publication Date: 2011-03-02T09:27:12Z
• Authors: Marija Petek Šter; Eva Cedilnik Gorup
• Keywords: Cross-sectional study; Depression; Psychotropic drug; Medical record

AimTo determine the prevalence of psychotropic medication prescribing in elderly nursing home residents Slovenia and to explore residents', physicians', characteristics associated with prescribing.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, we collected data for 2040 aged 65 years older 12 homes between September 25 November 30, 2006. Prescribed medications lists were retrieved from patients' medical records. Psychotropic coded according Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification 2005, which adjusted purposes study. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed prescribing.ResultsResidents 104 old (median, 83 years) 1606 (79%) them female. A total 970 (48%) had dementia 466 depression (23%). In 1492 (73%) residents, at least one prescribed. Nine hundred sixty prescribed hypnotics sedatives (47%), 572 (28%) antipsychotics, 460 (23%) antidepressants, 432 (21%) anxiolytics. Residents' use female sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-1.80), age (OR, 0.97; CI, 0.95-0.98), permanent restlessness 2.54; 1.71-3.78), 1.76; 1.33-2.34), 5.51; 3.50-7.58), number 1.29; 1.23-1.35). Of physicians' (sex, age, specialization general practice, working experiences as practitioner, home), male 1.80; 1.17-2.76).ConclusionFrequency is high comparable Western European countries. Our next step should be optimizing patients highest prescription rate.