BMJ 1996;312:1667 (29 June)

Letters

Neuroleptic prescribing in residents of nursing homes

Geographical differences make extrapolation difficult

EDITOR,--Alice McGrath and Graham Jackson report high neuroleptic prescribing (24%) in Glasgow nursing homes1 and say that these drugs were indicated in only 12% of cases.2

We studied the use of medication in all patients over 65 years in residential (248) and nursing homes (347), elderly care (260) and psychogeriatric units (112), and a random home sample (127) in north and west Belfast.3 The influence of age, sex, mental score, functional ability, and place of residence was analysed by using multiple logistic regression. Overall, neuroleptics were the fourth commonest drug class (28%, n=237). The patients receiving neuroleptics were: home, 1 (1%); elderly care, 53 (20%); residential home, 50 (20%); nursing home, 66 (19%); and psychogeriatric unit, 65 (58%).

After paracetamol and lactulose, thioridazine was the third most commonly used drug (n=172) and was prescribed "prn" for 12% (21 patients). Average doses were: home 30 mg, . . . [Full text of this article]


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Relevant Article

Survey of neuroleptic prescribing in residents of nursing homes in Glasgow
Alice M McGrath and Graham A Jackson
BMJ 1996 312: 611-612. [Extract] [Full Text]

This article has been cited by other articles:

  • McMillan, T M, Laurie, M (2004). Young adults with acquired brain injury in nursing homes in Glasgow. Clin Rehabil 18: 132-138 [Abstract]  
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