[Psychopharmacological therapy in mental retardation--comparison of the years 1991 and 2005]

Abstract

Objective: About psychopharmacological long-term care in individuals with mental retardation there are only a few data. The objective of this investigation was to analyze psychopharmacotherapy over a period of 15 years.

Methods: For the year 1991 291 data sets and for the year 2005 288 data sets of all residents of a home for people with mental retardation were analysed.

Results: The number of psychiatric disorders has not changed. But the frequency of medication with neuroleptics and antidepressive compounds has increased. Atypical and typical neuroleptics did not differ significantly in side effects. But the number of side effects in SSRI's is compared with tricyclic antidepressive compounds significantly reduced.

Conclusions: The present study is one of the few, which gives an overview of long-term course of psychiatric disorders in people with mental retardation, the psychopharmacological therapy und side effects of used medication.