Correlates of high-dose antipsychotic prescription amongst outpatients with Schizophrenia in a Nigerian Hospital
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) n...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2022-04-01
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| Series: | South African Journal of Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1791 |
| _version_ | 1811306187187027968 |
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| author | Ihechiluru G. Anozie Bawo O. James Joyce O. Omoaregba Sunday O. Oriji Paul O. Erohubie Anthony C. Enebe |
| author_facet | Ihechiluru G. Anozie Bawo O. James Joyce O. Omoaregba Sunday O. Oriji Paul O. Erohubie Anthony C. Enebe |
| author_sort | Ihechiluru G. Anozie |
| collection | DOAJ |
| 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-13T08:39:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-5d9b09c5eb16469788e33fa9a0fa5f80 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1608-9685 2078-6786 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-13T08:39:56Z |
| publishDate | 2022-04-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Journal of Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-5d9b09c5eb16469788e33fa9a0fa5f802022-12-22T02:53:55ZengAOSISSouth African Journal of Psychiatry1608-96852078-67862022-04-01280e1e810.4102/sajpsychiatry.v28i0.1791608Correlates of high-dose antipsychotic prescription amongst outpatients with Schizophrenia in a Nigerian HospitalIhechiluru G. Anozie0Bawo O. James1Joyce O. Omoaregba2Sunday O. Oriji3Paul O. Erohubie4Anthony C. Enebe5Department of Clinical Sciences, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Benin CityDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Benin CityDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Benin CityDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria; and, Department of Mental Health, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, AwkaDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria; and, Department of Mental Health, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, IrruaDepartment of Clinical Sciences, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria; and, Department of Mental Health Services, Federal Medical Centre Asaba, AsabaBackground: 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.https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1791high doseantipsychoticsprescriptionschizophrenianigeria |
| spellingShingle | Ihechiluru G. Anozie Bawo O. James Joyce O. Omoaregba Sunday O. Oriji Paul O. Erohubie Anthony C. Enebe Correlates of high-dose antipsychotic prescription amongst outpatients with Schizophrenia in a Nigerian Hospital South African Journal of Psychiatry high dose antipsychotics prescription schizophrenia nigeria |
| title | Correlates of high-dose antipsychotic prescription amongst outpatients with Schizophrenia in a Nigerian Hospital |
| title_full | Correlates of high-dose antipsychotic prescription amongst outpatients with Schizophrenia in a Nigerian Hospital |
| title_fullStr | Correlates of high-dose antipsychotic prescription amongst outpatients with Schizophrenia in a Nigerian Hospital |
| title_full_unstemmed | Correlates of high-dose antipsychotic prescription amongst outpatients with Schizophrenia in a Nigerian Hospital |
| title_short | Correlates of high-dose antipsychotic prescription amongst outpatients with Schizophrenia in a Nigerian Hospital |
| title_sort | correlates of high dose antipsychotic prescription amongst outpatients with schizophrenia in a nigerian hospital |
| topic | high dose antipsychotics prescription schizophrenia nigeria |
| url | https://sajp.org.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/1791 |
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