Correlates of high-dose antipsychotic prescription amongst outpatients with Schizophrenia in a Nigerian Hospital
South African Journal of Psychiatry
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Correlates of high-dose antipsychotic prescription amongst outpatients with Schizophrenia in a Nigerian Hospital | |
| Creator | Anozie, Ihechiluru G. James, Bawo O. Omoaregba, Joyce O. Oriji, Sunday O. Erohubie, Paul O. Enebe, Anthony C. | |
| Description | Background: Treatment guidelines recommend the use of antipsychotic monotherapy at effective doses for the treatment of schizophrenia, although about a third of the sufferers still receive high-dose antipsychotic treatment. Current evidence suggests that high-dose antipsychotic prescription (HDAP) not only fails to improve outcomes but also increases side effects.Aim: Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of HDAP and its association with illness severity, medication adherence behaviour and side effects amongst outpatients with schizophrenia.Setting: The Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Benin-City, Nigeria.Methods: A cross-sectional study of 320 attendees with schizophrenia at the outpatient department was undertaken. We administered a sociodemographic and antipsychotic medication questionnaire, Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, Liverpool University Neuroleptic Side Effects Rating Scales and Medication Adherence Rating Scales. High-dose antipsychotic prescription was determined by the ratio of prescribed daily dose to defined daily dose greater than 1.5.Results: The prevalence of HDAP was 38.4%. Greater severity of illness, experiencing more side effects and poor medication adherence were significantly associated with HDAP. The major predictors of HDAP were antipsychotic polypharmacy and concurrent anticholinergic use.Conclusion: We conclude that although the use of HDAP amongst patients with schizophrenia remains common, its persistent use should be discouraged. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2022-04-29 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/sajpsychiatry.v28i0.1791 | |
| Source | South African Journal of Psychiatry; Vol 28 (2022); 8 pages 2078-6786 1608-9685 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1791/2618
https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1791/2619
https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1791/2620
https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1791/2621
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