Antipsychotic treatment and the prevalence of diabetes among elderly patients in psychiatric rehabilitation.

We aimed to compare the risk of diabetes in a Hungarian schizophrenic population treated with atypical antipsychotics with that of the non-schizophrenic population. We wished to reveal the effects of gender and age. A schizophrenic population (n=135 male and n=110 female patients of different age groups) was examined by studying hospital charts in the Gálfi Béla Hospital specialized on gerontopsychiatric attendance with a main profile of rehabilitation. Data were given by the National Health Insurance Fund registry in the period of 2000-2006, while the Hungarian Central Statistical Office presented data on the prevalence of diabetes in the Hungarian population. Binomial distribution was used for the hypothesis testing. The examination shows higher prevalence of diabetes among schizophrenic patients (12.72%) in comparison with the Hungarian population (6.85%) in the age group of 18-64 among both sexes, while there was no higher risk of diabetes found in the age group of above 65 among both sexes. As a conclusion, we emphasize that continuous weight, glucose and lipid level monitoring should be considered during treatment with antipsychotics in all age groups, even if our study does not show higher risk of diabetes among elderly schizophrenic patients.

Comparison of olanzapine and risperidone use in psychiatric rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: Because olanzapine and risperidone have similar efficacy and tolerability in the treatment of schizophrenia and these two agents are the most widely used atypical antipsychotics in Hungary, the utilisation of the drugs is a relevant consideration. The purpose of this study was to follow the utilisation trend of olanzapine and risperidone in the Gálfi Béla Hospital, which is a specialised institute on psychiatric rehabilitation. METHODS: Data regarding dosages and psychiatrists' clinical preferences were collected through studying hospital charts in the Gálfi Béla Hospital during the period 1999-2003. RESULTS: Utilisation of the agents indicated that there was an increase of use for the whole examined period in the Gálfi Béla Hospital, although unambiguous growth began only in 2001. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital chart analysis shows that both drugs were used to a large extent and risperidone use is increasing more rapidly, which is justified by the gerontopsychiatric profile of the hospital.

[Utilization study of clozapine, olanzapine and risperidone in Hungary]. / Clozapin, olanzapin és risperidon felhasználásának utilizációs vizsgálata.

Authors examined the use of clozapine, olanzapine and risperidone by reviewing retrospectively their prescribing practice in the period of 1999-2003 in Hungary. The aim of the study was to analyze the utilization aspects of the use of the three novel antipsychotics. Data showed a fast growing trend in the use of olanzapine and risperidone while the use of clozapine is decreasing. The purpose of the present study was to follow the temporal development trends of use of the three examined novel antipsychotics which could result in a cost-effective drug therapy.

[Utilization and comparison study of antipsychotics at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of the Semmelweis University and the Galfi Bela Hospital]. / Antipszichotikumok felhasználásának utilizációs vizsgálata és összehasonlítása a Semmelweis Egyetem Pszichiátriai és Pszichoterápiás Klinikáján és a Gálfi Béla Gyógyító és Rehabilitációs Kht. Szakkórházában.

The authors examined the use of antipsychotics at the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy of the Semmelweis University and at the Gálfi Béla Hospital by reviewing retrospectively the drug ordering practice in the period of 1998-2002. The aim of the study was to analyse the utilization aspects of the use of antipsychotic medication. The study also aimed to identify the main trends of prescribing preference and to compare the use of antipsychotics in the two institutions. Data showed that in accordance with the latest professional guidelines the use of novel antipsychotics is increasing. Based on analysis of the antipsychotic use in both clinical practices there were characteristic patterns found that show that the conventional antipsychotic use is still notable. The purpose of the present study was to follow the temporal development trends and present state of antipsychotic use which could result in a cost-effective drug therapy.