Survey of the quality of prescribing anticholinergic drugs in neuroleptic treated patients

• Published in: Encéphale Vol. 24; no. 2; p. 100
• Main Authors: Georget, S, Giesenfeld, A, Gonzalvez, M F, Mangin, A, Montaut, T, Pareja, J P, Kahn, J P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: France 01.03.1998
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Antipsychotic Agents - adverse effects; Antipsychotic Agents - therapeutic use; Cholinergic Antagonists - administration & dosage; Cholinergic Antagonists - adverse effects; Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced - drug therapy; Female; France; Humans; Male; Medical Audit; Middle Aged; Neurologic Examination - drug effects; Quality Assurance, Health Care; Retrospective Studies; Schizophrenia - drug therapy; France
• ISSN: 0013-7006

A retrospective survey of prescription of anticholinergic drugs to patients treated with antipsychotics (i.e. neuroleptics) was set up in order to evaluate quality and adequation of medical care. This study was meant as a first step of a therapeutic audit, aimed at improving clinical practices and attitudes. This retrospective study was conducted concomitantly at three different psychiatric institutions, jointly at each site by a senior psychiatrist and a senior pharmacist and at two different dates, six months apart one from the other. In a first step, references for therapeutic practice were collected, from current scientific literature, protocols and professional practices. Seven criteria were selected. Each criterion consisted in a variable, an expected standard, an observed standard and exceptions. Information was collected from the clinical charts and prescriptions of 67 patients (33 men, 34 women), aged 47.8 +/- 14.9 years (range 21-76 years), treated with anticholinergic and neuroleptic drugs. These data were then analyzed, according to the seven predefined criteria and the observed standards matched with the expected ones. Depending on the criterion, important variations could be observed, the observed standards ranging from 100% to 11.9% of the expected standards.