Psychotropic medication in adults with mental retardation: prevalence, and prescription practices.
People with mental retardation comprise an overmedicated population. Studies the last 20 years or so indicate that nearly 50% of people with mental retardation receiving care have been using psychotropic medication, in the treatment of psychiatric disorders and/or problem behaviours. The recent years guidelines for prescription of psychotropics have been developed, emphasizing, e.g. the presence of a diagnosis, consideration of alternatives, and evaluation. In spite of all this, we found that 37% of people with mental retardation in one Norwegian county were using psychotropics, mostly neuroleptics. Moreover, prescriptions frequently violated current guidelines, especially when conducted by general practitioners. For example, a lot of prescriptions had not been indicated by a diagnosis, alternatives to medications had rarely been explored, and evaluation of effects and side effects were exceptions. Psychiatrists complied more with current guidelines. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Holden
Børge
B
Habiliteringstjenesten for Voksne, Hedmark Naeringspark Bygg 15, 2312 Ottestad, Norway. Borge.Holden@sykehuset-innlandet.no
Gitlesen
Jens Petter
JP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015897:Comorbidity; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000639:trends; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000639:trends; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012920:Social Behavior Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs