Pilot study on the use of psychotropic medication in persons with mental retardation.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the status of the psychotropic medication in persons with mental retardation 6 years after their deinstitutionalization.


METHODS
The authors compared the profiles of psychotropic medication of 60 persons with mental retardation deinstitutionalized (D-sample) from our local mental hospital 6 years ago, to their actual pharmacological profile. Later, we compared our results to the ones of persons with mental retardation on an in-patient (In-sample) unit where existed a concerted team effort to lower the medication when deemed appropriate.


RESULTS
Six years post-deinstitutionalization, the authors observed that the same percentage of patients remained on antipsychotic and benzodiazepine medication in our D-sample, and a threefold increase of those using antidepressive medication. However, we observe a general decrease of all types of psychotropic medication in the In-sample with complete withdrawal in a substantial number of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors take these pilot data to mean that a concerted team effort at lowering medication in persons with mental retardation makes a significant difference. The possibility of other factors (age, sex, severity of mental retardation, psychiatric diagnosis) explaining the difference in the results is discussed.
Radouco-Thomas
Monelly
M
The Mental Deficiency Program, CHRG, Laval University, Quebec City, Canada G1J 2G3. monelly-radouco-thomas@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
Bolduc
Michel
M
Brisson
Anick
A
Brassard
Pierre
P
Fortier
Lucie
L
Thivierge
Jacques
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003688:Deinstitutionalization; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs