Huang SS, Liao YC, Hsieh YY, Huang CY, Chiu NY, Yang YK, Shen WW. Combination antipsychotic therapy in psychiatric outpatient clinics in Taiwan.
Compr Psychiatry 2006;
47:421-5. [PMID:
16905407 DOI:
10.1016/j.comppsych.2005.12.007]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2005] [Revised: 11/04/2005] [Accepted: 12/20/2005] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to survey the use of combination antipsychotic therapy (CAT) in the psychiatric outpatient clinic of a general hospital.
METHODS
Patients who received at least 2 antipsychotics in the psychiatric outpatient clinic of a general hospital in 1 month (August 1-31, 2003) were identified, and their retrospective chart review was performed. Using a questionnaire, we surveyed the clinicians on why 2 antipsychotics were prescribed, why long-term CAT was used, and whether the problems were solved by CAT.
RESULTS
We studied 957 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and related disorders in 1 month. A total of 119 patients (12%) were prescribed at least 2 antipsychotics. Among these 119 patients, 91 (76%) were prescribed 2 types of first-generation antipsychotics (FGAs), and 15 patients (16%) were prescribed a second-generation antipsychotic medication and a low-dose FGA medication. The clinicians' main reasons for CAT were to treat insomnia (84%) and psychotic symptoms (83%).
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study revealed that 12% of the patients received CAT in the clinical practice. Most patients were prescribed 2 FGAs. The clinicians' reasons for prescribing CAT in Taiwan were to treat insomnia and psychotic symptoms.
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