Prevalence of sedative drug use in geriatric in-patients: a multi-centre study

PETROVIC M;SPATHARAKIS G;CONROY S;VAN MAELE G;MOULIAS S;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

Document Details :

Title: Prevalence of sedative drug use in geriatric in-patients: a multi-centre study
Author(s): PETROVIC M, SPATHARAKIS G, CONROY S, VAN MAELE G, MOULIAS S
Journal: Acta Clinica Belgica
Volume: 61 Issue: 3 Date: 2006
Pages: 119-126
DOI: 10.2143/ACB.61.3.1002680

Abstract :

Objective: This cross-sectional study registered the prevalence of sedative drug use and withdrawal strategies in geriatric in-patients from 30 centres in nine European countries. Methods: We conducted a survey among young geriatricians using a standardised questionnaire on sedative drug use for more than three weeks. The study population consisted of 1972 in-patients aged 75 years or older. Acute care (620), intermediate care/rehabilitation (359), long-term care (261), terminal care (47) and nursing home (685) settings were represented. The pre-specified outcomes included the prevalence of sedative drug use; the identification of main prescribers and main reasons for prescribing and, the assessment of withdrawal policy, including psychological counselling and involvement of general practitioners. Results: Prevalence of sedative use was highest in long-term care (72%), followed by nursing homes (70%) and terminal care (59%). Geriatricians started prescribing sedatives after admission on 52% of all occasions. The main reasons for prescribing were continuation of medication taken at home (37%), sleep problems emerging after admission (26%) and post-admission worsening of existing sleep problems (20%). Most prescribers (70%) applied an active withdrawal policy. Shortterm withdrawal programmes were mostly applied (57%). Most patients (60%) were psychologically counselled during withdrawal from sedatives. General practitioners were often (60%) involved in withdrawal policy. Conclusion: The prevalence of prescription of sedative drugs in geriatric in-patients is high. Appropriate setting specific guidelines are needed to control use of sedatives in geriatric in-patients and to ensure withdrawal from these drugs whenever possible.