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BackgroundAntipsychotics are frequently and often long-term used for challenging behaviour in persons with intellectual disability (ID), but the evidence base for this is meagre. As these agents may cause harmful side effects, discontinuation should be considered. Previous studies regarding discontinuation of long-term used antipsychotics mostly were uncontrolled and involved small numbers. The primary objective was to investigate the effects of controlled discontinuation of antipsychotics prescribed for challenging behaviour. Secondary objectives were to compare the results of two discontinuation time schedules, to compare groups of participants who had and had not achieved complete discontinuation, and to identify patient and medication characteristics that might predict the outcomes. Our hypothesis was that discontinuation of antipsychotics used for behavioural symptoms would not lead to worsening in behaviour.MethodsThis was a multi-centre parallel-group study comparing two discontinuation schedules of 14 and 28 weeks. Allocation to the two discontinuation schedules took place in a 1:1 ratio. Antipsychotics were tapered off every 2 or 4 weeks with approximately 12.5% of the initial dosage. Follow-up was 12 weeks after the scheduled complete discontinuation, that is, 26 or 40 weeks after the first dose reduction, respectively. Discontinuation was stopped in case of significant behavioural worsening. Participants were 98 residents with ID of three care providing organisations in the Netherlands, aged 15-66 year, who had used for more than 1 year one or more of the six most frequently prescribed antipsychotics for challenging behaviour. Main outcome measure was the total score of the Aberrant Behaviour Checklist (ABC); also ABC sub-scales were used.ResultsOf 98 participants, 43 achieved complete discontinuation; at follow-up 7 had resumed use of antipsychotics. Mean ABC ratings improved significantly for those who achieved complete discontinuation (directly after discontinuation, PConclusionsDiscontinuation of antipsychotics prescribed for challenging behaviour in patients with ID is associated with improved behavioural functioning. There is no need to taper off in a time frame longer than 14 weeks.

BackgroundWe investigated antipsychotic drug prescription practice of Dutch ID physicians, studying prevalence of antipsychotic drug use, reasons for prescription and the relationship between these reasons and patient characteristics.MethodsA cross-sectional study of medical and pharmaceutical records in a population living in residential settings of three care providers for persons with IDs in the Netherlands (n = 2373).ResultsPrevalence of antipsychotic drug use was 32.2% (95% CI 30.1-33.9). Behavioural problems were the reason for prescription of antipsychotic drugs in 58% of cases and psychotic disorder or psychotic symptoms in 22.5%. In 11.7% the diagnosis of psychotic disorder was specified according to DSM-IV criteria. In 18.5% the reason for prescription was not noted in the medical record. Behavioural problems as reason for prescription was associated with profound and severe ID, living in a central location and male sex. Psychotic disorder specified according to DSM-IV as indication for prescription was negatively associated with profound and severe ID and with presence of an additional mental disorder. Absence of a noted reason for prescription was associated with female sex and with the presence of an additional mental disorder.DiscussionCurrent prevalence and reason for prescription of antipsychotic drugs are similar with outcomes of previous studies. Our results show the continuing lack of evidence-based psychopharmacological treatment in mental health care for persons with IDs.