Post-discharge pharmacological treatment discontinuation of forensic psychiatric patients in Sweden.
Over half of forensic psychiatric patients stopped medication within 2 years post-discharge.
Post-discharge pharmacological treatment discontinuation of forensic psychiatric patients in Sweden.
Most forensic psychiatric patients have chronic psychiatric disorders that require long-term pharmacological treatment even after discharge from care.
The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and correlates of post-discharge discontinuation of pharmacological treatment in forensic psychiatric patients in Sweden.
Data on individuals discharged from forensic psychiatric care between 2009 and 2018 ( n = 1,142) with ongoing pharmacological treatment at the time of discharge ( n = 856) were identified from the Swedish National Forensic Psychiatric Register.
Factors associated with an increased risk of treatment discontinuation varied between different types of psychotropic medications: the most important correlate was comorbidity between psychosis and personality disorder.
Higher age at discharge, longer length of stay, having a history of several psychiatric care episodes, having a trustee, having a limited guardian, and a residing in a supported living accommodation at the time of discharge were associated with a decreased rate of medication discontinuation.
For many former forensic psychiatric patients, there are situational factors associated with medication discontinuation.
This insight holds significance for professionals who are involved in pre-discharge planning within forensic psychiatric care and those who interact with this cohort of former patients post-discharge.