الملخص الإنجليزي
Background: Aggression, agitation, psychosis, and sleep disturbances are common behavioral symptoms of people
with dementia and they can be distressing for both individuals and their carers. Due to their potential side efects,
antipsychotic medications are recommended only for severe behavioral and psychological symptoms of demen‑
tia (BPSD). This study explores the prevalence, patterns, and associated factors with antipsychotic drug use among
patients with dementia attending geriatric psychiatry services at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH). Using a
retrospective cross-sectional design, this study examines antipsychotic use among elderly patients aged 60 years or
older with dementia who attended geriatric psychiatry services from January 2020 to December 2021. The following
information was solicited: socio-demographic factors, type and severity of dementia, presence of co-morbid medical
or mental illness, the psychotropic medications prescribed, the anti-psychotic medication use, duration of use, and
the indication of use were solicited as well. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted.
Results: The total prevalence of anti-psychotic use among elderly patients with dementia was 56.6%, and among
them, 59% were prescribed anti-psychotics for more than 2 years. Being female, having non-Alzheimer's dementia,
experiencing severe stages of dementia, and having other medical or mental co-morbid conditions were independ‑
ent predictors of antipsychotic drug use (odds ratio [OR] =1.85, confdence interval [CI] =1.04–3.30; OR=2.77, C.I.
1.52–5.04; OR=4.47, C.I. 2.18–9.18; and OR=2.54, C.I. 1.11–5.78, respectively).
Conclusions: Antipsychotic medication use is prevalent among elderly patients with dementia in Oman. The results
from this study will help the policymakers and psychiatrists in Oman to plan for the use of non-pharmacological strat‑
egies as the frst line of management for BPSD.
