A two-year retrospective study of comorbidities and drug use in psychogeriatric patients

Dementia is often associated with behavioral and psychological symptoms (BPSD) that are treated with different drugs. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the prescribing patterns in patients with dementia and the use of psychotropic drugs to treat BPSD between December 2012 and 2014 in a psychogeriatric unit. A total of 85 patients were included. The results of the different tests performed at admission showed that patients presented with moderate cognitive impairments and severe-moderate dependence. The mean number of drugs for patients was 8.8 and 76% of them were taking more than one drug. Drug treatment was inappropriate in 31% of the patients. At admission, one psychoactive drug was prescribed to 88% of the patients, and 56% were prescribed two psychoactive drugs. Patient medication reviews displayed a high degree of polypharmacy, inappropriate drug prescribing, and extensive use of psychotropic drugs. A multidisciplinary approach is necessary to achieve better patient outcomes, including the participation of caregivers, as well as adequate training of all professionals who work with these patients.