Strengths and Limitations
National prescribing datasets covering all patients registered with a
general practice in England were included in this study. We did not
investigate record of the indications, reasons or length of treatment
for the drugs prescribed. Furthermore, the 10 most and 10 least deprived
CCGs are only representative of the two extremes, they do not represent
the entire population of England. It is important to note that the data
regarding the prescriptions and costs of antipsychotics were not
exclusively related to prescribing for dementia. Antipsychotics can be
used for the treatment of multiple other disorders, such as psychosis,
schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression, as well as other
off-label uses [28,29].