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The Use of Psychoactive Drugs in Elderly Patients with Psychiatric Disorders: Survey Conducted in Twelve Veterans Administration Hospitals
Author(s) -
Prien Robert F.,
Haber Paul A.,
Caffey Eugene M.
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1975.tb00969.x
Subject(s) - medicine , psychoactive drug , medical prescription , drug , psychiatry , psychoactive substance , family medicine , pharmacology
A survey conducted at 12 VA hospitals included the collection of detailed information on the use of psychoactive drugs in 1,276 elderly psychiatric patients. On the day of the survey, 61 per cent of the patients were receiving psychoactive drugs. Prescription practices relating to the choice of drugs, prevalence of drug use, dosage, combination drug preparations, and antiparkinson agents are discussed in terms of such factors as the patient's age and the diagnosis. Also discussed is the literature on psychoactive drugs, particularly as it pertains to elderly populations.