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Continuous use of antipsychotics and its association with mortality and hospitalization in institutionalized Chinese older adults: an 18-month prospective cohort study

Authors

Chan, Tuen-Ching, Luk, James Ka-Hay, Shea, Yat-Fung, Lau, Ka-Hin, Chan, Felix Hon-Wai, Yu, Gabriel Ka-Kui, Chu, Leung-Wing

Journal

International Psychogeriatrics / IPA, Volume: 23, No.: 10, Pages.: 1640-1648

Year of Publication

2011

Abstract

Background: Previous meta-analyses have suggested that antipsychotics are associated with increased mortality in dementia patients with behavioral and psychological symptoms (BPSD). Subsequent observational studies, however, have produced conflicting results. In view of this controversy and the lack of any suitable pharmacological alternative for BPSD, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between continuous use of antipsychotics and mortality as well as hospitalizations in Chinese older adults with BPSD residing in nursing homes.; Methods: This was a prospective cohort study conducted in nursing homes in the Central & Western and Southern Districts of Hong Kong from July 2009 to December 2010. Older adults were stratified into the exposed group (current users of antipsychotics) and control group (non-users). Demographics, comorbidity according to the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), Barthel Index (BI(20)), Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT), and vaccination status for pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) 2009, seasonal influenza and pneumococcus were collected at baseline. Subjects were followed up at 18 months. All-cause mortality and all-cause hospitalizations were recorded.; Results: 599 older adults with dementia from nine nursing homes were recruited. The 18-month mortality rate for the exposed group was 24.1% while that for control group was 27.5% (P = 0.38). The exposed group also had a lower median rate of hospitalizations (56 (0-111) per 1000 person-months vs 111 (0-222) per 1000 person-months, median (interquartile range), p<0.001).; Conclusions: The continuous use of antipsychotics for BPSD does not increase mortality among Chinese older adults with dementia living in nursing homes. Furthermore, our results show that the use of antipsychotics can lead to decreased hospitalizations.;

Bibtex Citation

@article{Chan_2011, doi = {10.1017/s104161021100175x}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s104161021100175x}, year = 2011, month = {sep}, publisher = {Cambridge University Press ({CUP})}, volume = {23}, number = {10}, pages = {1640--1648}, author = {Tuen-Ching Chan and James Ka-Hay Luk and Yat-Fung Shea and Ka-Hin Lau and Felix Hon-Wai Chan and Gabriel Ka-Kui Yu and Leung-Wing Chu}, title = {Continuous use of antipsychotics and its association with mortality and hospitalization in institutionalized Chinese older adults: an 18-month prospective cohort study}, journal = {Int. Psychogeriatr.} }

Keywords

administration & dosage, aged, aged, 80 and over, aging, antipsychotic agents, dementia, drug effects, drug therapy, epidemiology, female, hong kong, hospitalization, humans, male, mortality, nursing, nursing homes, prospective studies, psychology, statistics & numerical data, therapeutic use, treatment outcome

Countries of Study

Hong Kong

Types of Dementia

Dementia (general / unspecified)

Types of Study

Cohort Study

Type of Outcomes

Carer Burden (instruments measuring burden)

Settings

Nursing Homes

Type of Interventions

Pharmaceutical Interventions

Pharmaceutical Interventions

Antipsychotics and antidepressants