ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Despite the context of several national warnings, antipsychotics drugs are commonly used to treat behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementia (BPSD). AIM: To observe a decrease of antipsychotic drug prescription, in old NH (nursing homes) residents with dementia, after an awareness of their general practitioner. METHODS: Observational, prospective, multicenter study. The study population corresponds to NH residents with dementia, and antipsychotic drug consumption, in nursing homes volunteered to participate. Awareness-raising is carried out through information documents. The evaluation criteria is the proportion of residents under antipsychotics after sensitization. RESULTS: out of the 30 nursing homes included, 26.7% of the patients were prescribed at least one antipsychotic and 15% were both demented and under antipsychotics. A total of 317 residents with dementia and antipsychotics were included 15% of the total NH population. Psychotropic drug co-prescriptions was very frequent 43.2% also used benzodiazepines, 37.2% anxiolytics and 33.1% antidepressants. Agitation, aggressiveness, opposition to care and wandering were the most commonly BPSD encountered. After a first sensitization, we obtained a 15.5% decrease of antipsychotic prescriptions. CONCLUSION: A personalized sensitization towards GP allowed a reduction of antipsychotic drugs prescription in NH residents with dementia and BPSD.
