Prolactin monitoring in the acute psychiatry setting. (30th January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Perry, Benjamin I.; Goldring, Katie J.; Menon, Sharmila J.
• Is Part Of: Psychiatry research. Volume 235(2016)
• Page Start: 104
• Page End: 109
• Publication Date: 2016-01-30
• Subjects: Prolactin -- Hyperprolactinaemia -- Antipsychotics -- Medication -- Monitoring -- Guidelines -- Psychiatry -- Side-effects -- Monitoring -- Management; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- periodicals; Psychiatrie -- Périodiques; 616.89
• DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2015.11.041
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-1781

Abstract

Abstract: Hyperprolactinaemia is a common side effect associated with psychotropic medication. Limited guidance on its monitoring and management results in inconsistency in practice due to individual clinical variability. A retrospective service evaluation study was conducted on all patients admitted to an acute psychiatric assessment unit in South Wales, United Kingdom, over one calendar year ( n =524), to assess the prevalence and possible causes of hyperprolactinaemia, correlation with symptomatology and monitoring and management by clinicians. The prevalence of hyperprolactinaemia in this population ( n =67, 13%) was higher than in the general population. The most common association was medication ( n =39, 58%), particularly Risperidone ( n =19). Illicit substance use ( n =10, 15%), and physical conditions ( n =12, 18%) may also have contributed. However, only 44 (66%) received follow-up for their hyperprolactinaemia. There was a statistically significant difference in the sample means of those that did receive follow-up and those who did not, suggesting a degree of bias in patients selected to receive follow-up. These findings suggest that hyperprolactinaemia is relatively common in patients with mental illness, and that comprehensive guidelines need to be established for the monitoring and management thereof. Highlights: Hyperprolactinaemia is a relatively common finding in a mental health population. Guidelines for monitoring and management need clarity and expansion. Risperidone was most likely to cause a rise in prolactin in our study. All patients with raised prolactin warrant appropriate follow-up. Symptomatology of a raised prolactin should feature in clinical history taking.