Display options
Cite
Gers L, Petrovic M, Perkisas S, et al. Antidepressant use in older inpatients: current situation and application of the revised STOPP criteria. Ther Adv Drug Saf. 2018;9(8):373-384doi: 10.1177/2042098618778974.
Gers, L., Petrovic, M., Perkisas, S., & Vandewoude, M. (2018). Antidepressant use in older inpatients: current situation and application of the revised STOPP criteria. Therapeutic advances in drug safety, 9(8), 373-384. https://doi.org/10.1177/2042098618778974
Gers, Lynn, et al. "Antidepressant use in older inpatients: current situation and application of the revised STOPP criteria." Therapeutic advances in drug safety vol. 9,8 (2018): 373-384. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/2042098618778974
Gers L, Petrovic M, Perkisas S, Vandewoude M. Antidepressant use in older inpatients: current situation and application of the revised STOPP criteria. Ther Adv Drug Saf. 2018 May 28;9(8):373-384. doi: 10.1177/2042098618778974. eCollection 2018 Aug. PMID: 30364909; PMCID: PMC6199683.
Copy Download .nbib Format: NLM
Share it on

Ther Adv Drug Saf. 2018 May 28;9(8):373-384. doi: 10.1177/2042098618778974. eCollection 2018 Aug.

Antidepressant use in older inpatients: current situation and application of the revised STOPP criteria.

Therapeutic advances in drug safety

Lynn Gers, Mirko Petrovic, Stany Perkisas, Maurits Vandewoude

Affiliations

  1. Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
  2. Department of Geriatric Medicine, University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.
  3. Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Antwerp, ZNA Sint-Elisabeth, Leopoldstraat 26, Antwerp, Antwerp 2000, Belgium.

PMID: 30364909 PMCID: PMC6199683 DOI: 10.1177/2042098618778974

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Antidepressant use increases as age rises. Moreover, older patients are more sensitive to side effects and drug interactions. This descriptive study aims to map antidepressant use among patients at the geriatrics department of a university hospital and to evaluate whether prescribing happens in an evidence-based manner.

METHODS: Patients aged 75 years and over, admitted to the geriatrics department of the Middelheim Hospital in Antwerp between February and July 2017 were included. We checked whether they took antidepressants, which types and doses were prescribed, who prescribed the antidepressants, and whether prescribing was in concordance with the revised STOPP (Screening Tool of Older People's Prescriptions) criteria.

RESULTS: Out of the 239 included patients, 61 were found to use antidepressants, with depression being the most important indication. General practitioners appeared to be the most frequent prescribers. Trazodone was the most prescribed antidepressant and was often used for sleeping disorders. Antidepressants were taken longer than recommended in almost one out of five cases. Patients with diabetes and renal insufficiency were prescribed antidepressants less frequently. Only 2.8% of the study participants were prescribed antidepressants for anxiety disorders.

CONCLUSION: We can conclude that prescription of antidepressants in older patients at the geriatrics department is often not evidence based. Clear guidelines may offer a solution; therefore more studies are needed on antidepressant use in older patients.

Keywords: antidepressants; elderly; polypharmacy; revised Screening Tool of Older People’s Prescriptions criteria

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

References

  1. J Affect Disord. 2008 Feb;106(1-2):29-44 - PubMed
  2. Implement Sci. 2014 Oct 06;9:151 - PubMed
  3. Fam Pract. 2016 Feb;33(1):30-6 - PubMed
  4. Clin Interv Aging. 2008;3(1):111-20 - PubMed
  5. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2016 Apr;41(2):158-69 - PubMed
  6. JAMA. 1963 Sep 21;185:914-9 - PubMed
  7. J Chronic Dis. 1987;40(5):373-83 - PubMed
  8. Am J Kidney Dis. 2012 Jul;60(1):27-38 - PubMed
  9. Diabetes Care. 2001 Jun;24(6):1069-78 - PubMed
  10. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2014 Dec;22(12):1565-74 - PubMed
  11. J Psychiatr Res. 1975 Nov;12(3):189-98 - PubMed
  12. Age Ageing. 2015 Mar;44(2):213-8 - PubMed
  13. JAMA. 2017 May 23;317(20):2114-2122 - PubMed
  14. CNS Drugs. 2012 Dec;26(12):1033-49 - PubMed
  15. Am J Psychiatry. 1994 Jul;151(7):1069-72 - PubMed
  16. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2014 Jun;62(6):1116-21 - PubMed
  17. J Clin Psychiatry. 2013 Jan;74(1):31-7 - PubMed
  18. Cephalalgia. 2007 Feb;27(2):97-106 - PubMed
  19. Acta Clin Belg. 2005 May-Jun;60(3):150-6 - PubMed
  20. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011 Feb 16;(2):CD008191 - PubMed
  21. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2014 Jan;70(1):1-11 - PubMed
  22. Chronobiol Int. 2015;32(9):1311-4 - PubMed
  23. BMC Psychiatry. 2014;14 Suppl 1:S1 - PubMed
  24. Kidney Int. 2012 Feb;81(3):247-55 - PubMed

Publication Types