The use of the UKU side effect rating scale for adults with intellectual disabilities in a clinical sample
| Date | 04 December 2024 |
| Pages | 1-11 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/AMHID-05-2024-0015 |
| Published date | 04 December 2024 |
| Author | Trine Lise Bakken,Jane Margrete Askeland Hellerud,Svein Eirik Skaale,Monica Augustin,Arne-Henrik Elvehaug |
The use of the UKU side effect rating
scale for adults with intellectual disabilities
in a clinical sample
Trine Lise Bakken, Jane Margrete Askeland Hellerud, Svein Eirik Skaale,
Monica Augustin and Arne-Henrik Elvehaug
Abstract
Purpose –The UKU Side Effect Rating Scale for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities (UKU-SERS-ID)
was developed to detect side effects in patients with intellectual disabilities who receive psychotropic
medication. The aim of the present study was to examine the frequency and distribution of the side
effects of psychotropic medication in persons with intellectual disabilities.
Design/methodology/approach –In all, 100 patients receiving in- and outpatient treatment
participated in thisstudy. The UKU-SERS-ID, encompassing 34 items,was scored for all participants at
two time points.T1 was the baseline rating, and T2 was scored around twoto four weeks after starting on
new medication.
Findings –Mean scores on the psychologicalside effects scale were found to be substantially higher
than on any other scale, especially the items tension/inner unrest and depressed mood. The patients
most frequently received antipsychotic medication, aswell as a combination of antipsychotic and
antidepressants or antianxiety medication. The study sample was highly heterogeneous, and missing
baseline information prevented assumptions being made about causality. The analyses revealed no
increaseor decrease from T1 to T2 for the side effectsmeasured in the study group.
Research limitations/implications –Further researchis necessary on the association betweenthe side
effectsand specific groups of psychotropicmedication.
Practical implications –The UKU-SERS-ID may be a feasible tool in clinical practice on an individual
level.
Social implications –Monitoringof side effects for patients using psychotropic medication.
Originality/value –Studies of side effectsfrom the use of psychotropic medication in people with ID is
still sparse.This study may hopefully contribute to an increased interestin this topic.
Keywords Intellectual disability, Mental health services, Side effects, Psychotropic medication,
Mental disorders, UK SERS - ID
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
People with intellectualdisability (ID) have been found to use psychotropic medicationmore
frequently than the general population (Barratt et al.,2023;Teeluckdharry et al.,2013). This
is primarily because people with ID may develop mental illness more often than the general
population (Santambrogio et al.,2021;Bakken et al., 2010;Cooper et al., 2007;Einfeld and
Tonge, 2007). People with ID who have multiple complex needs such as a combination of
ID, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) physical conditions (Charlot et al.,2011), sensory loss
and mobility difficulties (Hørsrud and Bakken, 2022) have more mental health problems
and, therefore, tend to receive psychotropic medication for behaviours thatchallenge: BtCs
(Charlot, Doerfler and McLaren, 2020;Valdovinos, 2019). Antipsychotic drugs are
particularly used when BtCs occur (Volkmar et al., 2014;Tyrer et al.,2008). Hence, people
Trine Lise Bakken and Jane
Margrete Askeland
Hellerud are both based at
Regional Section Psychiatry,
Intellectual Disability/Autism,
Oslo University Hospital,
Oslo, Norway.
Svein Eirik Skaale is based
at Habilitation Services,
Telemark Hospital, Skien,
Norway.
Monica Augustin and
Arne-Henrik Elvehaug are
both based at the Regional
Section Psychiatry,
Intellectual Disability/
Autism, Oslo University
Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Received 2 May 2024
Revised 14 August 2024
Accepted 2 October 2024
DOI 10.1108/AMHID-05-2024-0015 VOL. 19 NO. 12025, pp. 1-11, ©Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2044-1282 jADVANCES IN MENTAL HEALTH AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES jPAGE 1
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