Yona Lunsky1, Miti Modi1. 1. Dr. Lunsky is with Adult Neurodevelopmental Services, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, where Ms. Modi was affiliated at the time of this study. Dr. Lunsky is also with the Department of Psychiatry, and Ms. Modi is with the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study described psychotropic prescription patterns among adults referred to a psychiatric outpatient clinic for individuals with intellectual disability and determined demographic, clinical, and organization-level predictors of receipt of three or more psychotropic medications concurrently (psychotropic polypharmacy). METHODS: To identify predictors of psychotropic polypharmacy, a retrospective chart audit was conducted for patients with intellectual disability referred (N=517) to a specialized psychiatric outpatient clinic between 2005 and 2013. RESULTS: Seventy percent of patients were prescribed at least one psychotropic medication, and 22% received psychotropic polypharmacy. Women, those living in supervised residential settings, and those with a psychiatric diagnosis in two or more diagnostic categories were more likely to receive psychotropic polypharmacy. CONCLUSIONS: Polypharmacy is a significant concern for adults with intellectual disability seeking specialized psychiatric services, with multiple contributors to prescribing practices. Both psychiatrists and family physicians can play a role in the judicious use of medications for this vulnerable population.
OBJECTIVE: This study described psychotropic prescription patterns among adults referred to a psychiatricoutpatient clinic for individuals with intellectual disability and determined demographic, clinical, and organization-level predictors of receipt of three or more psychotropic medications concurrently (psychotropic polypharmacy). METHODS: To identify predictors of psychotropic polypharmacy, a retrospective chart audit was conducted for patients with intellectual disability referred (N=517) to a specialized psychiatricoutpatient clinic between 2005 and 2013. RESULTS: Seventy percent of patients were prescribed at least one psychotropic medication, and 22% received psychotropic polypharmacy. Women, those living in supervised residential settings, and those with a psychiatric diagnosis in two or more diagnostic categories were more likely to receive psychotropic polypharmacy. CONCLUSIONS: Polypharmacy is a significant concern for adults with intellectual disability seeking specialized psychiatric services, with multiple contributors to prescribing practices. Both psychiatrists and family physicians can play a role in the judicious use of medications for this vulnerable population.
Authors: Laura García-Domínguez; Patricia Navas; Miguel Ángel Verdugo; Víctor B Arias; Laura E Gómez Journal: J Appl Res Intellect Disabil Date: 2022-04-05