Claire O'Dwyer1, Philip McCallion2, Martin Henman3, Mary McCarron4, Eva O'Leary3, Eilish Burke1, Juliette O'Connell3, Máire O'Dwyer3. 1. IDS-TILDA, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. 2. School of Social Work, College of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 3. School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. 4. Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There are concerns that antipsychotics may be used inappropriately in adults with intellectual disability for problem behaviours in the absence of a diagnosed mental health condition. The aim was to examine the prevalence and patterns of antipsychotic use and their association with problem behaviours and mental health conditions in older adults with intellectual disability. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were drawn from Wave 2 (2013/2014) of the Intellectual Disability Supplement to the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (IDS-TILDA). Medication data were available for 95.6% (n = 677). Those who reported antipsychotic use and reported psychotic or other mental health conditions and those who reported problem behaviours were compared. RESULTS: In total, 45.1% (n = 305) had antipsychotics, and of those with antipsychotic use and diagnosis information (n = 282), 25.9% (73) had a psychotic disorder. 58% of those exposed to antipsychotics reported problem behaviours. CONCLUSION: Reported use of antipsychotics significantly exceeded reported doctor's diagnosis of psychotic conditions in this study.
BACKGROUND: There are concerns that antipsychotics may be used inappropriately in adults with intellectual disability for problem behaviours in the absence of a diagnosed mental health condition. The aim was to examine the prevalence and patterns of antipsychotic use and their association with problem behaviours and mental health conditions in older adults with intellectual disability. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were drawn from Wave 2 (2013/2014) of the Intellectual Disability Supplement to the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (IDS-TILDA). Medication data were available for 95.6% (n = 677). Those who reported antipsychotic use and reported psychotic or other mental health conditions and those who reported problem behaviours were compared. RESULTS: In total, 45.1% (n = 305) had antipsychotics, and of those with antipsychotic use and diagnosis information (n = 282), 25.9% (73) had a psychotic disorder. 58% of those exposed to antipsychotics reported problem behaviours. CONCLUSION: Reported use of antipsychotics significantly exceeded reported doctor's diagnosis of psychotic conditions in this study.
Authors: Angela Henderson; Paula Mcskimming; Deborah Kinnear; Colin McCowan; Alasdair McIntosh; Linda Allan; Sally-Ann Cooper Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2020-09-10 Impact factor: 2.692