This study aims to examine trends in outpatient psychotropic drug use among elderly people with intellectual disabilities in Taiwan. The NHI outpatient medication records between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2007 for people age 65 and older with intellectual disabilities were analyzed to observe the percent change, prevalence and prescription trends in psychotropic drugs. The overall prevalence of psychotropic medication increased from 34.39% to 37.05% during the study period. The prescription rates of antipsychotics increased from 24.67% to 38.55% (p<0.001); hypnotics/sedatives decreased from 86.09% to70.00% (p<0.001); antidepressants increased from 24.15% to 43.61% (p<0.001) and psychostimulants increased from19.16 % to 23.25% (p=0.0137). The change of Taiwan's NHI payment policy might have attributed to this trend.
Date:
2014-12
Relation:
Taiwan Journal of Gerontological Health Research. 2014 Dec;10(2):127-139.
