To read this content please select one of the options below:

Monitoring for metabolic syndrome in people with intellectual disability on antipsychotic medication

Raghu Baburaj (Year 6 Specialty, Abertawe Bro Morganwwg University Local Health Board, Swansea, UK)
Mohamed El Tahir (Consultant Psychiatrist, Abertawe Bro Morganwwg University Local Health Board, Swansea, UK)

Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities

ISSN: 2044-1282

Article publication date: 23 May 2011

238

Abstract

Purpose

People with intellectual disability are subject to increased health morbidity when compared to the general population. This paper assesses the monitoring of metabolic syndrome in people with an intellectual disability who have been prescribed antipsychotic medication.

Design/methodology/approach

A pre‐audit analysis was followed by an audit of 32 patients. The height, weight and body mass index was recorded in 34 per cent prior to initiation, which decreased to 22 per cent at the three monthly follow up. Blood pressure was recorded in 6 per cent of the patients at baseline, but there was no record during treatment. The biochemical parameters including plasma glucose and plasma cholesterol were measured in 40 per cent of the patients on initiation which decreased to 33 per cent at three monthly follow up in the first year. In total, 21 per cent of patients received four monthly monitoring of the biochemical parameters, i.e. their height and weight, 25 per cent of the patients had an annual monitoring of all parameters.

Findings

The results indicate inconsistent monitoring of metabolic syndrome in people with intellectual disability being treated with antipsychotic medication. While a proportion of patients may have been monitored in primary care, these data indicate the need for remedial action to improve the standard of metabolic syndrome detection in those people with intellectual disability receiving antipsychotic medication.

Originality/value

This study highlights the inadequate monitoring of biochemical and physical parameters of metabolic syndrome in people with an intellectual disability who are prescribed antipsychotic medication. National criteria for monitoring the prescription of antipsychotic medication in people with intellectual disability who are prescribed antipsychotic medication is proposed.

Keywords

Citation

Baburaj, R. and El Tahir, M. (2011), "Monitoring for metabolic syndrome in people with intellectual disability on antipsychotic medication", Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, Vol. 5 No. 3, pp. 38-44. https://doi.org/10.1108/20441281111142611

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Related articles