Factors related to use of potentially inappropriate psychotropic drugs in 2,343 residents of 19 nursing homes.

To identify factors that influence use of potentially inappropriate psychotropic drugs among elderly residents living in nursing homes (NH). Cross-sectional, multicentre study among 65+ years NH residents, based on queries performed on the PATHOS database and on prescription information from residents' medical data. Medications were coded using the Anatomical Therapeutical Chemical classification. Psychotropic agents were classed using Delay and Deniker's classification, and the Beers Criteria (Beers list 2015 update) were used to identify potentially inappropriate psychotropic drugs (PIPs). Logistic regression was performed to identify factors related to use of potentially inappropriate psychotropic drugs, and factors related to PIPs. The average number of drugs per subject (n=2,343) was 7.8±3.5. In total, 1,709 (71.6%) subjects were taking psychotropic drugs (1.8±0.9 psychotropic drugs per user). Psychotropic agents represented 17.4% of the 18,143 drugs used by the whole study population. The frequency of PIPs was 44.1%. By multivariable analysis, the use of psychotropic drug was significantly associated with behavioural disorders (OR 3.21, 95%CI [2.46-4.18]); depression (OR 8.79, 95%CI [6.64-11.6]); anxiety (OR 3.43, 95%CI [2.45-4.8]); psychosis (OR 2.05, 95%CI [1.28-3.30]), use of >4 drugs (OR 4.85, 95%CI [3.60-6.53]); and dehydration (OR 0.49, 95%CI [0.32-0.75]). PIPs was significantly associated to behavioural disorders (odds ratio (OR) 1.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.89-1.29]); depression (OR 2.90, 95%CI [3.60-2.3]); anxiety (OR 1.68, 95%CI [2.32-1.22]); dementia (OR 2.43, 95%CI [2.96-1.99]); use of >4 drugs (OR 3.41, 95%CI [4.90-2.37]); dehydration (OR 0.53, 95%CI [0.76-0.37]), arthritis/arthrosis of the hip (OR 1.48, 95%CI [2.04-1.07]) and arthritis/arthrosis of the shoulder (OR 2.06, 95%CI [3.43-1.23]). Regular review of prescriptions and emphasis on non-drug therapy of behavioural disorders in elderly subjects can help to reduce the rate of prescription of psychotropic drugs and PIPs in NH residents.