Classification Des Medicaments Psychotropes, Nosologie Et Echelles D'Appreciation

Abstract

Various classifications of psychotropic drugs are currently in use. Generally psychotropic drugs are first classified according to their clinical action, and then divided into subgroups according to their distinctive chemical structure. Likewise, depending upon the country, there are different classifications of men-tall illnesses which do not always correspond to one another. However, for several years, efforts have been made to standardize these classifications in order to facilitate comparisons of diagnoses on an international level. Moreover, trans-cultural studies have been undertaken in recent years in the field of nosology by means of rating scales. Rating scales are also used in psycho-pharmacology to assess the change in the mental state during clinical trials. Some of them can be applied to most psychotic states, while others are limited in scope to one nosological entity or to one symptom. Stereotyped profiles, an empiric typology and profiles of drug-responders have been derived from some rating scales. However, the data obtained from these scales and submitted to elaborate statistical analyses are directly dependent upon the accuracy of the clinical assessment. It is clear that no deduction, statistical or other, based upon these scales will yield valid results if the clinical assessment is deficient. In summary if the clinical observations are adequate the rating scales can provide precious information concerning nosology, diagnosis or symptomatology. They constitute a useful tool in the objective evaluation of more specific effects of drugs and help in their classification.