Is higher psychotropic medication burden associated with involuntary treatment under the Mental Health Act? A four-year Australian cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Involuntary treatment for individuals who lack sufficient capacity to make informed decisions regarding treatment has been associated with increased rates of injectable antipsychotics, antipsychotic polytherapy, and/or high doses. However, little is known about non-antipsychotic psychotropic prescription, or psychotropic medication burden as a more encompassing approach for people treated involuntarily. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between Mental Health Act (MHA) status and psychotropic polypharmacy and/or high-dose medication prescribing practices in an Australian inpatient mental health unit.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of 800 adults discharged from a large metropolitan Queensland mental health unit was undertaken. Data was coll

SUBMITTER: Wheeler AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7291489 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature