Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are common and form part of the evolution of the disease. Specialised cognitive behavioural units were created in France to improve the care of patients with dementia. The main aim of this study was to describe changes in the use of psychotropic drugs in these units between admission and discharge. The second aim was to compare prescriptions from two physicians.
Method: This was a descriptive, retrospective, monocentric study conducted between May 2016 and May 2018.
Results: Psychotropic drug use was stable with regard to the 123 patients studied. The level of prescription of antipsychotic agents, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and memantine was lower at discharge (p < 0.05), while the level of prescription of hypnotic benzodiazepines and antidepressant agents was higher (p < 0.05). Both physicians made similar prescriptions, with the exception of the concomitant prescription of antipsychotic drugs and benzodiazepines.
Conclusion: Optimising the use of psychotropic drugs is an important aim of specialised cognitive behavioural units. Units should continue to analyse and share good practice.
Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; cognitive behavioural unit; dementia; prescriptions; psychotropic drugs.