Antipsychotics common for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health News Aug 26, 2017
Six–year Canadian study shows prescriptions often occur in adults with no psychiatric diagnosis.
Antipsychotic medication is frequently being prescribed to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), often without a psychiatric diagnosis, a new study conducted by the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has found. IDD includes diagnoses such as Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome and autism.
The study, published in The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, has made significant strides in filling the gap in research about prescribing practices of antipsychotic medication to adults with IDD. The six–year population–based study examined the health care data of 51,881 adults with IDD who were less than 65 years of age. Similar research has been conducted in other jurisdictions; however, this study is the first population–based study to investigate the use of antipsychotic medication in adults with IDD in Canada.
ÂThe results of our study make us question how often antipsychotics are being used as tool to manage behavioural issues. We need to understand more about why these medications are prescribed to those without psychiatric disorders, what else has been tried prior to medication, and how well these medications are being monitored, said lead author Dr. Yona Lunsky?, adjunct scientist at ICES, a clinician–scientist at CAMH and director of the Health Care Access Research and Developmental Disabilities (H–CARDD) research program.
Antipsychotics can be prescribed to adults with IDD as a method of managing behavioural challenges, sometimes without a comprehensive assessment of the underlying contributors to such behaviours, despite the evidence supporting such use being inconclusive. According to guidelines, antipsychotics should not be used as a first line treatment for behaviour challenges.
The researchers add that antipsychotic prescribing is particularly problematic for this population due to the potential for adverse effects such as the increased risk for metabolic complications. In this study, one in six adults had diabetes and one in five had hypertension. Furthermore, adults with IDD may have difficulties in providing informed medical consent and reporting unfavourable side effects should they arise.
The six–year study found:
Go to Original
Antipsychotic medication is frequently being prescribed to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), often without a psychiatric diagnosis, a new study conducted by the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) has found. IDD includes diagnoses such as Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome and autism.
The study, published in The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, has made significant strides in filling the gap in research about prescribing practices of antipsychotic medication to adults with IDD. The six–year population–based study examined the health care data of 51,881 adults with IDD who were less than 65 years of age. Similar research has been conducted in other jurisdictions; however, this study is the first population–based study to investigate the use of antipsychotic medication in adults with IDD in Canada.
ÂThe results of our study make us question how often antipsychotics are being used as tool to manage behavioural issues. We need to understand more about why these medications are prescribed to those without psychiatric disorders, what else has been tried prior to medication, and how well these medications are being monitored, said lead author Dr. Yona Lunsky?, adjunct scientist at ICES, a clinician–scientist at CAMH and director of the Health Care Access Research and Developmental Disabilities (H–CARDD) research program.
Antipsychotics can be prescribed to adults with IDD as a method of managing behavioural challenges, sometimes without a comprehensive assessment of the underlying contributors to such behaviours, despite the evidence supporting such use being inconclusive. According to guidelines, antipsychotics should not be used as a first line treatment for behaviour challenges.
The researchers add that antipsychotic prescribing is particularly problematic for this population due to the potential for adverse effects such as the increased risk for metabolic complications. In this study, one in six adults had diabetes and one in five had hypertension. Furthermore, adults with IDD may have difficulties in providing informed medical consent and reporting unfavourable side effects should they arise.
The six–year study found:
- 39 per cent of Ontario adults with IDD were dispensed antipsychotic medication (20,316 individuals)
- 29 per cent of the antipsychotic users did not have a documented psychiatric diagnosis
- 56 per cent (4,073) of individuals residing in group homes were prescribed an antipsychotic
- Of the antipsychotic users in a group home setting, 43 per cent did not have a documented psychiatric diagnosis
Only Doctors with an M3 India account can read this article. Sign up for free or login with your existing account.
4 reasons why Doctors love M3 India
-
Exclusive Write-ups & Webinars by KOLs
-
Daily Quiz by specialty
-
Paid Market Research Surveys
-
Case discussions, News & Journals' summaries