Determinants of multiple psychotropic drug use in patients with mild intellectual disabilities or borderline intellectual functioning and psychiatricor behavioral disorders

Prevalence rates of psychotropic drug use in people with intellectual disab ilities are high and pharmacotherapy is often attempted with multiple drugs . The presence of disruptive behavior is an important factor associated wit h the use of psychotropic drugs in this population. We wanted to gain insig ht into prevalence and determinants of multiple psychotropic drug use among patients with mild intellectual disabilities or borderline intellectual fu nctioning with psychiatric or behavioral disorders. Therefore, data on psyc hotropics and possible determinants of use were retrospectively collected d uring 1992-1997 in a specialized closed ward of a Dutch general psychiatric hospital, We defined multiple drug use as concomitant prescription (regula r or as needed) of a combination of benzodiazepines/tranquilizers/antipsych otics/anticonvulsants/anti-depressants. Multiple drug use, seen in 48% of t he patients, was associated with a long duration of stay, psychosis, aggres sive, bizarre, attention-seeking behavior and involuntary measures. We conc lude that it is likely that difficulties in the management of socially disr uptive behavior are often countered by multiple drug prescription. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.