Citation

Weinstock LM, Gaudiano BA, Epstein-Lubow G, Tezanos K, Celis-deHoyos CE, Miller IW. Psychiatry Res. 2014; 216(1): 24-30.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.psychres.2014.01.038

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Individuals with bipolar disorder (BD) often receive complex polypharmacy regimens as part of treatment, yet few studies have sought to evaluate patient characteristics associated with this high medication burden. This retrospective chart review study examined rates of complex polypharmacy (i.e., ≥4 psychotropic medications), patterns of psychotropic medication use, and their demographic and clinical correlates in a naturalistic sample of adults with bipolar I disorder (BDI; N=230) presenting for psychiatric hospital admission. Using a computer algorithm, a hospital administrator extracted relevant demographic, clinical, and community treatment information for analysis. Patients reported taking an average of 3.31 (S.D.=1.46) psychotropic medications, and 5.94 (S.D.=3.78) total medications at intake. Overall, 82 (36%) met criteria for complex polypharmacy. Those receiving complex polypharmacy were significantly more likely to be female, to be depressed, to have a comorbid anxiety disorder, and to have a history of suicide attempt. Women were significantly more likely than men to be prescribed antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and stimulants, even after controlling for mood episode polarity. Study data highlight the high medication burden experienced by patients with BD, especially those who are acutely symptomatic. Data also highlight the particularly high medication burden experienced by women with BD; a burden not fully accounted for by depression. © 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; adolescent; Adult; Aged; Female; Male; Middle Aged; adult; human; Adolescent; Anxiety; Depression; female; male; Retrospective Studies; Young Adult; Sex Factors; Hospitalization; Cost of Illness; aged; Suicide, Attempted; bipolar disorder; depression; sex difference; anxiety; drug use; suicide attempt; Antidepressants; complication; lithium; hospitalization; comorbidity; Benzodiazepines; Demography; Hospitals, Psychiatric; polypharmacy; Polypharmacy; Psychopharmacology; Bipolar depression; article; major clinical study; prescription; anticonvulsive agent; antidepressant agent; retrospective study; serotonin uptake inhibitor; priority journal; middle aged; anxiety disorder; psychotropic agent; Bipolar Disorder; benzodiazepine derivative; mental hospital; Mood stabilizers; cost of illness; central stimulant agent; Psychotropic Drugs; medical history; evaluation study; serotonin noradrenalin reuptake inhibitor; young adult