A follow-up of medical treatment of persons with psychiatric health problems and mental retardation

One hundred and thirty patients with psychiatric problems in combination with mental retardation have been treated at a psychiatric ward for patients with mental retardation. A follow-up has been made of those patients who have been treated with clozapine and/or citalropram/paroxetine for some time. Data have been collected from their medical charts. Fifty-one patients have been treated with clozapine, and 25 of these have also been given a diagnosis of autism. A positive effect was achieved in 35 (69%) of the patients and in 15 (60%) of those with autism. Citalopram/paroxetine have been given to 37 patients, and 7 of these have been diagnosed as having autism. These drugs had a positive effect in 26 (70%) patients, and in 4 (56%) cases among those with autism. The group as a whole seems more sensitive to adverse side effects of medication and more prone to respond negatively when medication is not administered with great care.