Pharmacological treatment and psychiatric polypharmacy in forensic psychiatric care in Sweden
Abstract Background Patients in forensic psychiatric care (FPC) are commonly treated with a wide range of psychotropic medications. There is, however, a lack of understanding regarding how pharmacological treatment and psychotropic polypharmacy are used throughout care. Method This register-base...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Cambridge University Press
2025-01-01
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| Series: | European Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S092493382510031X/type/journal_article |
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| Summary: | Abstract
Background
Patients in forensic psychiatric care (FPC) are commonly treated with a wide range of psychotropic medications. There is, however, a lack of understanding regarding how pharmacological treatment and psychotropic polypharmacy are used throughout care.
Method
This register-based cohort study included patients admitted to FPC in Sweden between 2009 and 2020. We estimated the prevalence of the use of major psychotropic medication, as well as psychotropic polypharmacy, at admission and discharge. We also examined the change in antipsychotic use after admission.
Results
In total, 1962 patients were included. Antipsychotics were the most used psychotropic medication class, with 86.2% (95%CI: 84.5–87.8) of patients receiving at least one typical or atypical antipsychotic at admission. Changes in the antipsychotic regime were more common at the beginning of FPC, compared to later time points. Within the subgroup of patients discharged during the study period (n = 561), there was a reduction in the use of typical antipsychotics (admission: 34.9%; discharge: 26.6%) and hypnotics and sedatives (admission: 37.4%; discharge: 28.1%). Other major medication classes remained relatively stable. The prevalence of psychiatric polypharmacy at admission was 70.6% (95%CI: 68.5–72.7) and remained similar during care.
Conclusions
Our study documented a high prevalence of antipsychotic use and psychotropic polypharmacy through FPC. Further, a high level of off-label antipsychotic use and antipsychotic polypharmacy was observed. Stronger evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of these treatment strategies is needed.
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| ISSN: | 0924-9338 1778-3585 |