A survey of the use of psychopharmaceuticals in patients admitted to a university hospital for adults Encuesta sobre el uso de psicofármacos en pacientes internados en un hospital universitario de adultos.

Abstract

We performed a survey concerning the use of psychotropic drugs among 223 patients admitted to a university hospital in November 1986. 39% of patients were receiving some psychotropic drug, and 73% of these corresponded to benzodiazepines. Insomnia and anxiety were reported as the main causes for drug use. Patients above age 50 were most affected. 61% of drugs had been in use for more than 6 months. These results confirm previous findings regarding psychotropic drug use in adults.