Determinants of psychotropic drug use in residential and nursing homes

A large proportion of the residential and nursing home population is mental ly ill. The causes for increased prescription of psychotropic drugs other t han mental disorders have been discussed. This study presents data on the r ole of the individual's characteristics and institutional conditions on psy chotropic drug use in residents of residential and nursing homes. Therefore the psychotropic drug use of 4 old-people's homes in Leipzig (Germany) was reviewed. Sociodemographic characteristics and a number of behavioral patt erns of the residents were examined. Regression analysis revealed associati ons of age, gender and certain behavioral patterns (e.g., agitation, insomn ia with nightly disturbances) and psychotropic drug use. Beyond that, psych otropic drug use varied among the 4 institutions' practices. Further resear ch should be aimed at gaining insight into the interplay of these individua l and institutional influences on psychotropic drug use in order to develop specific interventions to optimize treatment.