Effects of Antipsychotic Medication on Mortality in Long-Term Care Home Residents

Abstract

This chapter examines mortality in long-term care home (LTCH) residents as associated with the use antipsychotic medication when combined with other psychotropic medications. The data at census-level pertain to all new admissions to long-term care homes (LTCH) in Ontario, Canada, during a given financial year (i.e., over 20,000 LTCH residents). The observations include comprehensive assessment upon admission and at quarterly intervals thereafter for a maximal period of 1-year after the initial assessment. The mortality data derive from three linked databases, with mortality classified as death within 90 days of the final assessment. The findings indicate that combinations of concurrent daily usage of antipsychotic medication with daily usage of other psychotropic medications (particularly antidepressants and analgesics) are associated with relatively low mortality, whereas intermittent usage (e.g. pro re nata; as needed) is associated with relatively high mortality.