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Survey of clozapine use by consultant old age psychiatrists

Manchester Mental Health & Social Care Trust, York House, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester M13 9WL, email: rparanthaman{at}gmail.com

Robert C. Baldwin, Consultant Old Age Psychiatrist

Manchester Mental Health & Social Care Trust, Manchester

Declaration of interest

None.

AIMS AND METHOD

The aim of the survey was to assess the attitudes of specialists in old age psychiatry towards the use of clozapine in elderly patients. A postal questionnaire was sent to a random sample of 155 consultant old age psychiatrists in England.

RESULTS

The response rate was 87%. A majority of respondents felt that clozapine had a useful place in the treatment of elderly patients, although they expressed concerns about the lack of published data and about safety and practical difficulties in monitoring. Prescribers of clozapine (n=45) were significantly more positive about its role in treating older patients than those who had not used it.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

The findings suggest that familiarity with and confidence in clozapine and practical difficulties in monitoring are important determinants of its use in older patients.