Use of Antipsychotics: The Experiences, Views, and Monitoring Practices of Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists in Turkey

Objectives:The aim of this study is to evaluate the antipsychotics prescribed by child psychiatrists and their applications on the follow-up of these drugs. Methods:The universe of this research included consultant physicians and child psychiatry residents working in the field. A questionnaire has been created that assesses the use of antipsychotics and follow-up processes of physicians. The survey involved 19 questions. Contents of the survey were sociodemographic data, short-term and long-term follow-up of antipsychotic drugs, side-effect intervention strategies, and diagnoses of the most commonly preferred antipsychotic medications. The survey was delivered via e-mail and sent as a message to the child and adolescent psychiatrists in Turkey. Results:One hundred sixty-one physicians working in the field of child and adolescent psychiatry participated in the study. Aripiprazole (32.2%), risperidone (30.4%), and quetiapine (14.9%) were three most commonly prescribed antipsychotics. Disruptive behavior-related disorders (28.9%), behavior problems related to autism spectrum disorder (20.7%), behavior problems related to intellectual disability (14.5%), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (12.4%) were the most common diagnoses requiring antipsychotics medications. Before starting antipsychotic treatment, the most commonly evaluated parameters were body mass index (BMI) (47.2%), waist circumference (10.5%), blood pressure (28.5%), lipid profile (37%), and blood glucose level (41.6%). When the evaluations made at least in a year after starting antipsychotic drug therapy were examined, 80.2% of physicians reported blood glucose, 79.6% lipid profile, 65.7% BMI, 59.1% blood pressure, and 26.6% waist circumference measurement almost always done. Conclusions:The results showed that the adherence to recommendations in guidelines for the screening of antipsychotic-related side effects was low. This study suggests that interventions should be made about antipsychotic monitoring training to physicians.