A UK clinical audit addressing the quality of prescribing of sodium valproate for bipolar disorder in women of childbearing age.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To review prescribing practice concerning valproate, an established human teratogen, for the management of bipolar disorder in women of childbearing age.

Design

The Prescribing Observatory for Mental Health conducted a baseline clinical audit in the UK, as part of a quality improvement programme.

Participants

Six hundred and forty-eight clinical teams from 55 mental health Trusts submitted retrospective treatment data relating to patients with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder.

Results

Of the audit sample of 6705 patients, 3854 were 50 years of age or younger. Valproate was prescribed for 24% of women and 43% men in this age group, and the mean dose of valproate was lower in women (1196 mg) than in men (1391 mg). For only half of such women was there d

SUBMITTER: Paton C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5898356 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature