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Pharmacopsychiatry 2005; 38(3): 128-131
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-864124
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Epidemiology of First- and Second-generation Antipsychotic Agents in Lombardy, Italy

M. Percudani1 , C. Barbui2 , I. Fortino1 , L. Petrovich1
  • 1Health Care Directorate, Region of Lombardy, Milan, Italy
  • 2Department of Medicine and Public Health, Section of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, University of Verona, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 8.7.2004 Revised: 1.9.2004

Accepted: 18.10.2004

Publication Date:
18 May 2005 (online)

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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

Phone: +390267653098

Fax: +390267653306

Email: Mauro_Percudani@regione.lombardia.it