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Changing Patterns of Psychotropics Use Among Older Adults With Intellectual Disability Over a Decade, With a Focus on
Ashleigh Gorman1,2, Marina Odalović1,2,3, Aviejay Paul2
1School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Background:
Psychotropics (sometimes off-label), mental health diagnoses and behaviours of concern are common in older adults with intellectual disability. Guidelines recommend non-pharmacological interventions and regular medication review. This study examined changes in psychotropics among older adults (≥ 40) with intellectual disability.
Methods:
Longitudinal data were obtained from the Intellectual Disability Supplement to the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (IDS-TILDA) at two timepoints [Wave 1(2009/10); Wave 4(2019/20)]. Post hoc analysis, Chi-squared tests and univariate binary logistic regression were conducted.
Results:
Overall, psychotropics decreased (59.2% to 56.5%). Significant decreases in antipsychotics (43.1%-40.1%) and sedatives/hypnotics (13.6%-8.1%) and significant increase in antidepressants (26.2%-31.8%) were found. Nearly half of antidepressant users reported depression at Wave 1, compared with under 30% at Wave 4. Antipsychotics and antidepressants were common (75% and 60%, respectively) among those with behaviours of concern, after excluding clinical indications.
Conclusion:
Psychotropic prescribing remained consistent, though class-specific patterns shifted, with some decreases or increases observed.
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