Current Psychotropic Medication Use and Contributing Factors Among Nursing Home Residents With Cognitive Impairment.

This was a cross-sectional baseline analysis, so it cannot show whether medication use changed over time or whether any factor caused medication use. The sample came from 35 nursing homes in only two states and only included residents with moderate to severe cognitive impairment, so it may not apply to all nursing homes or residents. Facilities were a convenience sample, and many residents approached were not enrolled, so the sample may be selective. Behavioral and psychological symptom measures were based on brief observation or staff report, which may miss or misremember behaviors. The study did not evaluate whether psychotropic medications were appropriate or whether behavioral interventions were being used. The factors studied accounted for only a small share of the variation in medication use. Medication data were missing for some enrolled residents because they died or transferred before baseline data collection.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The article lists NIH extramural research support.

Do not read the associations as proof that agitation, comorbidities, for-profit status, state or LPN time caused medication use. This was a cross-sectional baseline analysis, the factors studied accounted for only a small share of the variation in medication use, and the study did not assess whether medications were appropriate or whether behavioral interventions were used.