[Use of psychopharmaceuticals in municipal nursing homes. A nationwide survey].

In 32 nursing homes selected at random in the 16 counties in Denmark, the use of psychotropic medication was studied in all residents aged over 65 years (1454 persons) by interview of nursing staff and review of treatment records regarding drug group, dose, duration of treatment and target symptoms. Psychotropic prescriptions were recorded in 56% of the elderly. The frequency of residents receiving daily treatment with neuroleptics was 20% and for anxiolytics, hypnotics and antidepressants 13%, 33% and 11%, respectively. The duration of treatment was two to three years. The indications were mostly unspecified behavioural disturbances. The use reflects the high psychiatric morbidity in nursing home residents, especially regarding dementia. From what is known of therapeutic efficacy and side-effects, it is concluded that the prescription rate is too high, duration of treatment much longer than necessary and that drugs inappropriate for elderly are often used.