Can morbidity be inferred from prescription drug use? Results from a nation-wide prison population study.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate psychiatric and somatic morbidity in a nation-wide prison population, as inferred from detailed medication sheets.


METHODS
Medication sheets from 37 prisons, covering 90% of the Norwegian prison population, were collected and examined by experienced clinicians. All inmates on medication were assigned best-estimate psychiatric and/or somatic diagnoses according to the International Classification of Primary Care diagnostic system.


RESULTS
Among the 2617 inmates 919 (35%) had psychiatric disorders, as estimated by our methodology. Depressive disorders (11%) and sleep disorders (11%) were most prevalent. Twenty-six inmates (1%) were prescribed medication indicative of affective psychosis and an additional 77 (3%) received anti-psychotic drugs in doses indicating other psychotic disorders, bringing the sum total of psychosis up to 103 (4%). A total of 848 inmates (32%) were estimated to suffer from somatic disorders. Various pain conditions were prevalent (11%) in addition to obstructive airway diseases and asthma (4%). Both psychiatric and somatic disorders were more prevalent in female prisoners.


CONCLUSIONS
This study has demonstrated high psychiatric and somatic morbidity in a nation-wide population of prison inmates receiving adequate health services. As the morbidity estimates are inferred from prescription drug use they must be interpreted with caution. However, we do believe that our study, utilizing this unconventional but readily available source of information, has yielded valuable knowledge regarding the physical and mental health of a nation-wide prison population.
Kjelsberg
Ellen
E
Centre for Research and Education in Forensic Psychiatry, Ulleval University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. ellen.kjelsberg@kompetanse-senteret.no
Hartvig
Paal
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015897:Comorbidity; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology