Depot neuroleptic usage in adults with learning disabilities.
Most previous surveys of depot neuroleptic usage have monitored the consumption of oral psychoactive medications by heterogeneous mental handicap hospital populations. The present study assessed the prevalence, patient, practice and service delivery factors associated with depot neuroleptic usage in community learning disabilities services. The total of 79 adult subjects receiving depot neuroleptics roughly represented 0-5% of local service users. Several significant differences emerged between the factors associated with usage in the 61 (77%) subjects with psychotic disorders and 18 (23%) other subjects. Fitting backward elimination regression models accounted for 67-75% of the depot dosage variance. Comparison of these results with data from previous depot research studies suggested several methodological, clinical, ethical and research issues for future consideration.
Gravestock
S
S
Division of Psychiatry, United Medical and Dental Schools, Munro Clinic, Guy's Hospital, London, England.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations