Study,Jun/20:Psychotropic Drugs Use - Cognitive Behavioral Specialized Care Unit

The full title of this French study is "Psychotropic Drugs Use in Cognitive Behavioral Specialized Care Unit".

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32576542/

Abstract

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are frequent and belong to the evolution of the disease. Cognitive behavioral units (unité cognitivo-comportementale) were created in France to improve care management. The main aim of the current study was to describe the progression of the psychotropic drugs use between admission to discharge. The second aim was to compare the prescriptions of two physicians.

Method: Descriptive, retrospective, monocentric study, between may 2016 and may 2018.

Results: Psychotropic drugs use was constant regarding the 123 patients. Antipsychotic agents, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and memantine use was lower at discharge (p <0.05), while hypnotic benzodiazepines and antidepressive agents use were higher (p <0.05). For both of physicians, prescriptions were similar except for antipsychotics association and benzodiazepines association.

Conclusion: To optimize psychotropic drugs use is an important aim in specialized cognitive behavioral units. Analysis and knowledge sharing shall be kep on going.