21.02.13
Antipsychotic use among elderly far higher for those in care homes
Elderly people in care are 20 times more likely to be on antipsychotics than those living at home or with relatives, despite the MHRA warning such medicine is not appropriate for most people with dementia.
New research carried out by Queen’s University Belfast used information from the Northern Ireland prescribing database relating to over 250,000 people over the age of 65.
They found that only 1.1% of elderly people living in their own homes, or with relatives, were taking antipsychotics. However in care homes, this number rises to 20.3%. Within six months of admission, 30.2% of all new residents received at least one prescription for antipsychotics.
In their own homes, 1.1% of elderly people were on antipsychotics, 7.3% were on sedatives or mood stabilisers (hypnotics) and 3.6% were on drugs for anxiety. Once in a care home, 8.2% were put on antipsychotics, 14.8% were given hypnotics and 7.8% were prescribed anxiolytic.
Lead researcher Aideen Maguire, who is based in the Centre of Excellence for Public Health Northern Ireland said: “Although drug dispensing is high in older people in the community, we have found that it increases dramatically on entry to care. This study showed that the high uptake of psychotropic drugs observed in care homes in Northern Ireland cannot be explained by a continuation of drug use initiated in the community prior to entering care.”
The study was published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society and researchers warn a similar situation could be playing out in the rest of the UK.
Maguire continued: “With an ageing population globally it is important that we look at the reasons behind this type of increase following admission to care. Antipsychotic uptake in Northern Ireland is similar to that in the rest of the UK and Ireland, and this study highlights the need for routine medicines reviews especially during the transition into care.”
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