Revista Portuguesa de Psiquiatria e Saúde Mental (Sep 2021)

Antipsychotic Polypharmacy and High Doses in a Rural Portuguese Community Mental Health Service

  • Sara Ramos,
  • Diana Cruz,
  • Bianca Jesus,
  • João Correia,
  • Isabel Vaz,
  • João Mendes

DOI
https://doi.org/10.51338/rppsm.2021.v7.i3.163
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 3

Abstract

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Introduction: Antipsychotic polypharmacy (APP) and high dose (APHD) remain a common practice in the treatment of severe mental illness, even though they are not supported by current international guidelines. Methods: We aimed to establish the prescribing patterns of antipsychotics in a community mental health service in a rural setting, to determine the prevalence of APP and APHD treatment and to identify associated factors. Results: We identified 284 patients. APP was present in 46.5% patients and was associated to younger age, single status, more previous psychiatric admissions, and anticholinergic prescription. Prescription of APHD was observed in 14.4% patients and was associated with previous inpatient admissions, being prescribed with a first generation long‑acting injectable antipsychotic and anticholinergics. We also found that APP and APHD were mutually associated. Conclusion: Despite current guidelines, we found prevalences of APP and APHD of 46.5% and 14.4%, respectively. Further studies are necessary to better evaluate the antipsychotic prescription patterns in Portugal.

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