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Antipsychotic prescribing for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Ayodeji Soyinka  and
David Lawley
Ayodeji Soyinka
Affiliation:
Old Age Psychiatry, Holly House, St Mary's Hospital, Greenhill Road, Armley, Leeds LS12 3QE, email: soyinka@mailcity.com
David Lawley
Affiliation:
Old Age Psychiatry, Humber Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust, Hull
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Abstract

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Aims and Method

To review the quality of information and advice contained in correspondence from old age psychiatrists to general practitioners (GPs) regarding the prescription of antipsychotic drugs for the management of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. Discharge summaries (n=22) and subsequent out-patient review letters were examined and compared with evidence-based guidelines in two phases of an audit cycle; first in 2002 and latterly in 2005.

Results

Practice was below acceptable standards during both phases of the audit cycle, with an actual drop in the quality of explicit advice given to GPs in 2005, despite national publicity about the issues and guidance from the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Clinical Implications

The prescription of antipsychotic drugs is associated with an adverse prognosis for people with dementia. As such, it is imperative that such treatment is regularly reviewed and time limited. Old age psychiatrists need to ensure that this message is communicated to their primary care colleagues.

Type
Original papers
Information
Psychiatric Bulletin , Volume 31 , Issue 5 , May 2007 , pp. 176 - 178
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2007

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