A comparison of clinical characteristics of older adults treated with antidepressants in general and psychiatric hospitals in Asia

Yuan Yuan Wang, Yu Tao Xiang, Gabor S. Ungvari, Chee H. Ng, Helen F.K. Chiu, Larina C.L. Yim, Tian Mei Si, Kok Yoon Chee, Ajit Avasthi, Sandeep Grover, Mian Yoon Chong, Kang Sim, Shigenobu Kanba, Yan Ling He, Min-Soo Lee, Shu Yu Yang, Pichet Udomratn, Roy A. Kallivayalil, Andi J. Tanra, Margarita M. MaramisWinston W. Shen, Norman Sartorius, Rathi Mahendran, Jia Ying Teng, Chay Hoon Tan, Naotaka Shinfuku

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    2 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Aim: This study compared the demographics, clinical characteristics, and antidepressant prescription patterns between Asian patients aged 50 years and older attending psychiatric hospitals and those attending general hospitals. Methods: In total, 955 patients (604 in general hospitals, 351 in psychiatric hospitals) aged 50 years or older treated with antidepressants in 10 Asian countries and territories were examined. Patients’ demographics, clinical features, and prescriptions of psychotropic drugs were recorded using a standardized protocol and data collection procedure. Results: Binary logistic regression revealed that high income and diagnosis of schizophrenia were independently associated with psychiatric hospital treatment, whereas outpatient care, diagnosis of anxiety disorders, and multiple major medical conditions were independently associated with general hospital treatment. In addition, tetracyclic and noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressants were more likely to be prescribed in general hospitals. Conclusion: Older adults treated with antidepressants showed different demographic and clinical features between general hospitals and psychiatric hospitals in Asia.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)348-355
    Number of pages8
    JournalPsychogeriatrics
    Volume17
    Issue number6
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2017 Nov 1

    Keywords

    • antidepressants
    • Asia
    • prescription patterns

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Gerontology
    • Geriatrics and Gerontology
    • Psychiatry and Mental health

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