Korean J Psychosom Med.  2017 Dec;25(2):120-128. 10.22722/kjpm.2017.25.2.120.

Clinical Course according to Antipsychotics Prescription Pattern in Delirium

• Park J
• Kim JJ
• Park S
• Kim S
• Park JY

• KMID: 2411725
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.22722/kjpm.2017.25.2.120

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Although antipsychotics are commonly used to control symptoms of delirium, there is a lack of research on the prescription pattern and its clinical effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of antipsychotics prescription pattern on clinical course of delirious patients consulted to psychiatry.
METHODS
Although antipsychotics are commonly used to control symptoms of delirium, there is a lack of research on the prescription pattern and its clinical effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of antipsychotics prescription pattern on clinical course of delirious patients consulted to psychiatry.
RESULTS
The pattern of taking antipsychotic medication longer than duration of delirium did not associated with better clinical course compared with the pattern of adapting to the period of delirium and rather increased the risk of taking antipsychotic medication at discharge. When used for a shorter period than the delirium period, it was associated with poor clinical course.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that a strategy to administer antipsychotics for a minimum period, according to periods of delirium, is appropriate. Also, efforts are needed to minimize the use of antipsychotic drugs after recovery from delirium.

Keyword

Delirium; Antipsychotics; Prescription pattern; Clinical course; CAM-ICU

MeSH Terms

Antipsychotic Agents*
Delirium*
Humans
Prescriptions*
Antipsychotic Agents