2019 Research Forum

Department of Psychiatry

Applicant: Nazila Sharbaf Shoar MS IV Principal Investigator & Faculty Sponsor: Sara Abdijadid DO MS History of Drug Abuse and the Use of Pro Re Nata (PRN) Medication on an Inpatient Psychiatric Unit

Nazila Sharbaf Shoar MS IV, Mantavya Punj MS IV, Frederick Venter MS IV, Sara Abdijadid DO MS

INTRODUCTION Patients with psychiatric illness hospitalized in an acute psychiatric unit receive pro re nata (prn) anti-anxiety and hypnotic agents for the treatment of the acute agitation. The relationship between illicit drug use and prn. anti-anxiety/hypnotic drug use in hospitalized psychiatric patients has not been extensively examined. This research examined the relationship between utilization of PRN medications and illicit drug abuse. PURPOSE The purpose of this observational study was to examine the relationship between utilization of PRN medications and recreational drug abuse. METHOD This retrospective cohort study, reviewed of a randomly selected 76 patients who were hospitalized on the psychiatric unit. RESULTS No statistical significant was found when utilized prn anxiolytic were compared between substance users and nonusers (t = 0.9946, df = 40.508, p-value = 0.3258, 95% CI -0.5184708 1.5239870).

<> = mean Results - PRN Drug Use (frequency) t = 0.9946, df = 40.508, p-value = 0.3258 Mean in group No illicit drug use: 1.48 Mean in group Yes illicit drug use: 0.98

DISCUSSION Previous studies suggested that psychiatric patients with a history of illicit drug abuse required more frequent PRN medications when compared to nonusers. It is assumed that anxiety and insomnia are higher in substance abusers than nonusers during inpatient hospitalization. Our independent research found differently, that there was no statistically significant difference in PRN antipsychotic medication use in hospitalized psychiatric patients with a history of previous illicit drug use compared to nonusers. CONCLUSIONS Patients with a history of substance abuse did not require more PRN medications when compared to non-drug abusers. This changes the way that the general physician population views the medication needs of drug abusers possibly leading to lower medication use, better cost-effectiveness, decreased length of stay, better patient communication, and understanding of illicit drug abusers medication requirements.

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