@article{ref1,
title="Long-term high-dose neuroleptic treatment: who gets it and why?",
journal="Hospital and community psychiatry",
year="1993",
author="Krakowski, M. I. and Kunz, M. and Czobor, P. and Volavka, J.",
volume="44",
number="7",
pages="640-644",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: High doses of neuroleptic medication are still administered to many patients, although many studies have shown the effectiveness of low-dose strategies. The purposes of the study were to determine whether and in what ways high-dose patients differed from patients on regular dosages and whether the higher dosages were more effective. METHODS: In a case-control study at two large state hospitals, 38 high-dose patients were compared with 29 regular-dose patients. RESULTS: The high-dose patients had a persistent course of illness, with severe chronic symptoms resulting in hospitalizations of much longer duration than those of the regular-dose patients. The high-dose patients evidenced more regressed functioning and were more violent. To control these behaviors, clinicians increased neuroleptic dosages. CONCLUSIONS: The high-dose patients represented a subgroup of chronic regressed and violent patients. Clinicians prescribed high dosages and continued to use them despite a lack of clear evidence that such treatment is effective.<p /><p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0022-1597",
doi="10.1176/ps.44.7.640",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1176/ps.44.7.640"
}