Prescription of psychiatric medications and polypharmacy in the LAMS cohort.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study evaluated demographic and clinical correlates and predictors of polypharmacy at baseline assessment in the Longitudinal Assessment of Manic Symptoms (LAMS) sample, a cohort of children age six to 12 years at their first outpatient mental health visit at university-affiliated clinics.

Methods

Use of medications in four classes (mood stabilizers, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and stimulants) was assessed, and the Service Assessment for Children and Adolescents classified lifetime and current use of various services. Analyses examined correlates of the number of medications prescribed and odds of polypharmacy, defined as use of two or more concurrent medications.

Results

In the total sample, 201 of 698 participants (29%) were prescribed two or mor

SUBMITTER: Kowatch RA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3977739 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature