Socioeconomic status and prescribing for schizophrenia: analysis of 3200 cases from the Glasgow psychosis clinical information system (PsyCIS)

Martin, D. J., Park, J., Langan-Martin, J. , Connolly, M., Smith, D. J. and Taylor, M. (2014) Socioeconomic status and prescribing for schizophrenia: analysis of 3200 cases from the Glasgow psychosis clinical information system (PsyCIS). Psychiatric Bulletin, 38(2), pp. 54-57. (doi: 10.1192/pb.bp.112.042143) (PMID:25237499) (PMCID:PMC4115395)

Abstract

Aims and method: To investigate whether socioeconomic status influenced rates of depot medication prescribing, polypharmacy (more than two psychotropic medications), newer (second-generation) antipsychotic prescribing and clozapine therapy. Postcodes, Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) categories and current medication status were ascertained. Patients in the most deprived SIMD groups (8-10 combined) were compared with those in the most affluent SIMD groups (1-3 combined). Results: Overall, 3200 patients with ICD-10 schizophrenia were identified. No clear relationship between socioeconomic status and any of the four prescribing areas was identified, although rates of depot medication use in deprived areas were slightly higher. Clinical implications: Contrary to our hypothesis, there was no evidence that patients with schizophrenia within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde who live in more deprived communities had different prescribing experiences from patients living in more affluent areas.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Martin, Dr Daniel and Connolly, Dr Moira and Smith, Professor Daniel and Langan-Martin, Dr Julie
• Authors: Martin, D. J., Park, J., Langan-Martin, J., Connolly, M., Smith, D. J., and Taylor, M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Mental Health and Wellbeing
• Journal Name: Psychiatric Bulletin
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• ISSN: 0955-6036
• ISSN (Online): 1472-1473
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2014 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Psychiatrist 38(2):54-57
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License