Introduction: This study investigated the age and gender distribution of antipsychotic prescribing
in Lombardy, a region of nine million inhabitants in northern Italy. Methods: From the Regional Administrative Database of Lombardy, all ambulatory prescriptions
of antipsychotics dispensed during 2001 were extracted and prevalence data were calculated
by dividing users by the total number of male and female residents in each age group.
Results: During the study period 86,187 subjects were dispensed antipsychotic agents, yielding
a prevalence of use of 0.87 (95 % CI: 0.86, 0.88) per 100 males and 1.01 (95 % CI:
1.00, 1.02) per 100 females. The prevalence of use progressively rose with age in
both sexes, with the highest rates in old and very old subjects. The prevalence of
use of first-generation antipsychotics progressively increased with age and dramatically
increased in old and very old subjects; in contrast, the prevalence of use of second-generation
antipsychotics remained substantially stable or slightly decreased up to 65 years
of age and increased thereafter. Conclusion: Antipsychotic agents are prescribed widely in the general population, and very high
rates were observed in those aged 80 years or more.
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Dr Mauro Percudani
Regione Lombardia
DG Sanità
Via Pola 9/11
20124 Milano
Italy
Telefon: +390267653098
Fax: +390267653306
eMail: Mauro_Percudani@regione.lombardia.it
