Citation

Krakowski MI, Kunz M, Czobor P, Volavka J. Hosp. Community Psychiatry 1993; 44(7): 640-644.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1993, American Psychiatric Association)

DOI

10.1176/ps.44.7.640

PMID

8102617

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: High doses of neuroleptic medication are still administered to many patients, although many studies have shown the effectiveness of low-dose strategies. The purposes of the study were to determine whether and in what ways high-dose patients differed from patients on regular dosages and whether the higher dosages were more effective.
METHODS: In a case-control study at two large state hospitals, 38 high-dose patients were compared with 29 regular-dose patients.
RESULTS: The high-dose patients had a persistent course of illness, with severe chronic symptoms resulting in hospitalizations of much longer duration than those of the regular-dose patients. The high-dose patients evidenced more regressed functioning and were more violent. To control these behaviors, clinicians increased neuroleptic dosages.
CONCLUSIONS: The high-dose patients represented a subgroup of chronic regressed and violent patients. Clinicians prescribed high dosages and continued to use them despite a lack of clear evidence that such treatment is effective.

Language: en

Keywords

Affective Disorders, Psychotic; Antipsychotic Agents; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Haloperidol; Hospitals, Psychiatric; Hospitals, State; Humans; Length of Stay; Male; Patient Compliance; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Psychotic Disorders; Regression, Psychology; Schizophrenia; Schizophrenic Psychology; Suicide; Suicide Prevention; Treatment Outcome; Violence