[Deinstitutionalization of severely mentally retarded patients: impact on prescription of neuroleptics].

The neuroleptic medication prescribed over a period of 12 years for three groups of severely developmentally handicapped patients is analyzed retrospectively. The average daily doses prescribed for two groups of patients, deinstitutionalized either to foster homes or group homes, are compared to those prescribed for a third group of patients who were not deinstitutionalized. The results show that deinstitutionalization had no impact on the prescribing of neuroleptics, regardless of the type of residence: group home or foster home. The results show, moreover, that for the three groups of patients, time spent without medication decreased significantly over the 12 years of this study. These results are discussed in relation to the problem of the patients' social reintegration into the community.