title: Analysis of drug use in institutionalized individuals with intellectual disability and tube feeding.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Little is known about the medication used by people with intellectual disabilities (ID) and enteral feeding tube (EFT). However, in light of the complexity associated with drug administration through EFT, data on medication use in this population may be helpful in the development of practical guidelines and staff training initiatives.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted in six Belgian residential care facilities (RCFs) for individuals with ID. Anonymized medication records of all residents receiving chronic medication through EFT were collected (n = 156). All chronic drugs were categorized according to the ATC classification, and medication records were checked for potential major drug-drug interactions (DDI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 156 residents used a total of 1029 chronic drugs via EFT, with a median of six drugs per resident (range 1-14). A total of 148 different drug molecules were identified, belonging to 38 main ATC therapeutic groups (ATC level 2). Antiepileptics, drugs for constipation and drugs for acid-related disorders were the most frequently used groups. Seventy-four of the 156 screened medication records (47%) contained at least one potential DDI; in total, 116 potential interactions were identified, which represent 38 different interacting drug pairs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study describes medication use through EFT among people with ID in Belgian RCFs, with antiepileptics being the most frequently used group. Our study also demonstrated that a high number of drugs is administered through EFT, and that the number of potential DDIs is high. These observations warrant an increased attention for drug administration through the EFT in individuals with ID.
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Care Unit , Ghent University , Ghent , Belgium.
authors.forename: Elke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Joos
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Care Unit , Ghent University , Ghent , Belgium.
authors.forename: Els
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mehuys
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Care Unit , Ghent University , Ghent , Belgium.
authors.forename: Jean Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Remon
authors.affiliation: b Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Paediatrics , Ghent University , Ghent , Belgium.
authors.forename: Myriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Winckel
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Care Unit , Ghent University , Ghent , Belgium.
authors.forename: Koen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Boussery
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D001530:Belgium; D003248:Constipation / Q000188:drug therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D019989:Persons with Intellectual Disabilities; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019338:Polypharmacy; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations
keywords: Drug interaction; Drug use; Enteral feeding tube; Intellectual disability; Medication administration; Residential care facility