title: Prolactin monitoring in the acute psychiatry setting.
abstract: Hyperprolactinaemia is a common side effect associated with psychotropic medication. Limited guidance on its monitoring and management results in inconsistency in practice due to individual clinical variability. A retrospective service evaluation study was conducted on all patients admitted to an acute psychiatric assessment unit in South Wales, United Kingdom, over one calendar year (n=524), to assess the prevalence and possible causes of hyperprolactinaemia, correlation with symptomatology and monitoring and management by clinicians. The prevalence of hyperprolactinaemia in this population (n=67, 13%) was higher than in the general population. The most common association was medication (n=39, 58%), particularly Risperidone (n=19). Illicit substance use (n=10, 15%), and physical conditions (n=12, 18%) may also have contributed. However, only 44 (66%) received follow-up for their hyperprolactinaemia. There was a statistically significant difference in the sample means of those that did receive follow-up and those who did not, suggesting a degree of bias in patients selected to receive follow-up. These findings suggest that hyperprolactinaemia is relatively common in patients with mental illness, and that comprehensive guidelines need to be established for the monitoring and management thereof.
authors.affiliation: Caludon Centre University Hospital of Coventry, Warwickshire Clifford Bridge Road Walsgrave, Coventry CV2 2TE, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Benjamin.perry@covwarkpt.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Benjamin I
authors.initials: BI
authors.lastname: Perry
authors.affiliation: Prince Charles Hospital, Gurnos Estate Merthyr Tydfil CF47 9DT, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Katie.goldring@wales.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Katie J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Goldring
authors.affiliation: Admissions Ward, Mental Health Unit Cwm Taf University Health Board Royal Glamorgan Hospital Ynysmaerdy, Pontyclun Mid Glamorgan, South Wales CF72 8XR, United Kingdom. Electronic address: menon.sharmila@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sharmila J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Menon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006966:Hyperprolactinemia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D015995:Prevalence; D011388:Prolactin / Q000097:blood*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018967:Risperidone / Q000009:adverse effects; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D011388:Prolactin; D018967:Risperidone
keywords: Antipsychotics; Guidelines; Hyperprolactinaemia; Management; Medication; Monitoring; Prolactin; Psychiatry; Side-effects