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Only 10% of the psychotropic drug use for neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with dementia is fully appropriate. The PROPER I-study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2016

Klaas van der Spek*
Affiliation:
Department of Primary and Community Care, Centre for Family Medicine, Geriatric Care and Public Health, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
Debby L. Gerritsen
Affiliation:
Department of Primary and Community Care, Centre for Family Medicine, Geriatric Care and Public Health, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands Radboud Alzheimer Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
Martin Smalbrugge
Affiliation:
Department of General Practice and Elderly Care Medicine/EMGO + Institute for Health and Care Research, VU Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Marjorie H. J. M. G. Nelissen-Vrancken
Affiliation:
Dutch Institute for Rational Use of Medicine, Utrecht, the Netherlands
Roland B. Wetzels
Affiliation:
Department of Primary and Community Care, Centre for Family Medicine, Geriatric Care and Public Health, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
Claudia H. W. Smeets
Affiliation:
Department of Primary and Community Care, Centre for Family Medicine, Geriatric Care and Public Health, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
Sytse U. Zuidema
Affiliation:
Department of General Practice, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
Raymond T. C. M. Koopmans
Affiliation:
Department of Primary and Community Care, Centre for Family Medicine, Geriatric Care and Public Health, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands Radboud Alzheimer Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands Joachim en Anna, Centre for specialised geriatric care, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Klaas van der Spek, Department of Primary and Community Care, Centre for Family Medicine, Geriatric Care and Public Health, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen Huispost 117 ELG, PO Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Phone: +31641814811. Email: [email protected].
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Abstract

Background:

This study explores the appropriateness of psychotropic drug (PD) use for neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in nursing home patients with dementia.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study on 559 patients with dementia residing on dementia special care units in Dutch nursing homes was conducted. Appropriateness of PD use was assessed using the Appropriate Psychotropic drug use In Dementia (APID) index. The APID index score is calculated using information about individual PDs from patients’ medical records. The index encompasses seven (different) domains of appropriateness, i.e. indication, evaluation, dosage, drug-drug interactions, drug-disease interactions, duplications, and therapy duration.

Results:

A total of 578 PDs were used for NPS by 60% of the nursing home patients. Indication, evaluation, and therapy duration contributed the most to inappropriate use. Ten per cent of the PDs scored fully appropriate according to the APID index sum score, 36% scored fully appropriate for indication, 46% scored fully appropriate for evaluation, and 58% scored fully appropriate for therapy duration. Antidepressants were used the most appropriately, and antiepileptics the most inappropriately.

Conclusions:

The minority of the PD use was fully appropriate. The results imply that PD use for NPS in dementia can be improved; the appropriateness should be optimized with a clinical focus on the appropriate indications, evaluations, and therapy duration.

Type
Paper of the Month
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2016 

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