Factors associated with non-use of antipsychotics among older residents with schizophrenia in long-term institutional care.

OBJECTIVE To investigate factors associated with non-use of antipsychotics among older schizophrenia residents in long-term institutional care. DESIGN A retrospective study was designed using cross-sectional data gathered between 1 January and 30 June 2006 in Finland. Data were extracted from the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) database, based on Minimum Data Set for long-term care facilities (MDS-LC) assessments. PARTICIPANTS Residents with schizophrenia 65 years or older were included, giving a total of 356 patient assessments. RESULTS The prevalence of older schizophrenia residents not receiving any antipsychotic medication was 18.5%. Factors independently associated with non-use of antipsychotics in the logistic regression model were: severe degree of functional impairment, severely impaired vision, any diagnosis of dementia and severe underweight. There was a negative association between non-use of antipsychotics and a factor 'had arrived from a psychiatric hospital'. CONCLUSIONS Severe degree of functional impairment and dementia were the main findings associated with non-use of antipsychotics in this resident group.