Analysis of the Use of Psychotropic Medications in the Penitentiary System of the State of Ceará

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the use of psychotropic drugs in the penitentiary system. Methodology: Data were obtained through a prospective, observational, quantitative and descriptive survey. We analyzed 30 medical records of individuals convicted of a judicial sentence, collected at the Governador Stênio Gomes Psychiatric Institute located in the city of Itaitinga-CE from July to September 2012. The project was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the University of Fortaleza, No 258/2011. Results: The demographic profile points to male patients, single, illiterate and smokers. The most commonly used medication in the treatment of penitentiaries with mental disorders was haloperidol (27.5%). There were 58 potential drug interactions (1.7 ± 1.85 interactions per patient). As for the classification of the interactions, 22.4% of the minor type, 51.7% of the moderate type and 24.13% of the major type, 74.10% with a delayed onset, 24.13% with a rapid onset, according to documentation in the literature 41.36% suspected, 3.44% established and 53.43% possible. Of the mental disorders diagnosed, 40.1% present paranoid schizophrenia, residual and non-specific. The practice of homicide was attributed to 29.91% of the distressed schizophrenic, in the qualified modality. Other crimes involving violence were closely related to this mental disorder. Conclusion: The schizophrenic patients were responsible for homicide at rates higher than those who had another mental disorder and the aggressive behavior of schizophrenic patients seems to have been an important variable in the practice of crimes involving violence.