Our aim was to evaluate psychotropic prescribing practices in adults with intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) across the Richmond Neurodevelopmental Service (NDS).

Stopping over-medication of people with a learning disability, autism or both with psychotropics (STOMP) aims to reduce the potential harm of inappropriate use of psychotropic medications. We aimed to evaluate our prescribing practices in keeping with STOMP and the NICE guidelines.

We collected information from our clinical records on patients that met the inclusion criteria (≥18 years + diagnosis of ID and autism) from October-November 2019. We gathered the following: age, sex, severity of ID, psychiatric diagnoses, psychotropic medication, presence of challenging behaviours, involvement of positive behaviour support (PBS) and documentation of a PBS plan.

32 patients met our criteria (3:1 Male-Female ratio with an age range of 20-74 (Median 33 years old)). All 32 patients showed evidence of challenging behaviours. In the cohort, mild ID represented 18.8% (n = 6), moderate ID 40.6% (n = 13) and severe ID 40.6% (n = 13).

17 patients (53%) had a PBS plan in place. For those without a PBS plan (47%, n = 15), a referral to behavioural analysis had been considered/requested in 67% (n = 10).

31 patients were on psychotropic medication and 84% (n = 26) had an indication documented in the notes although every patient had had a medication review in the last 6 months. 67.7% (n = 21) of the prescriptions were for challenging behaviours.

The average number of medications prescribed was 2 (median 2, mean 2.41) but this was reduced to 1 (median 1, mean 1.76) when additional psychiatric diagnoses and epilepsy were excluded.

Prescriptions are regularly reviewed in keeping with STOMP guidance but there is more scope for utilising behaviour analysis input as well as the need to improve documentation of the rationale for psychotropic medications.

To evaluate the feasibility and potential effectiveness of a lifestyle intervention (diet and physical activity) among women with history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), delivered by trained facilitators.

Fifty-six normoglycaemic or prediabetic women with prior GDM were recruited at mean of 17 months postpartum. Socio-demographic, medical and anthropometric data were collected. Six sessions on lifestyle modification were delivered in groups (total four groups, with 12–15 women in each group). Pre and post intervention (6 months) weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, 75 g oral glucose tolerance test, blood pressure (BP) and lipid parameters were compared.

The intervention was feasible, with 80% of women attending four or more sessions. Post-intervention analyses showed a significant mean reduction of 1.8 kg in weight, 0.6 kg/m2 in BMI and 2 cm in waist circumference. There was also a significant drop of 0.3 mmol/L in fasting plasma glucose, 0.9 mmol/L in 2 h post glucose load value of plasma glucose, 3.6 mmHg in systolic BP, and 0.15 mmol/L in triglyceride levels. Changes in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and diastolic BP were non-significant.

This study showed feasibility of the lifestyle intervention delivered in group sessions to women with prior gestational diabetes.

About 10% Indians suffer from stress, depression or substance use disorders. Few receive care for these problems, especially in rural areas.

As part of a broader initiative to deliver technology-enabled mental health services for rural communities (adults ≥18 years), information was collected about the prevalence of depression, anxiety and suicide risk.

The study was conducted in 12 villages in the West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. Depression and anxiety were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, respectively. Additionally, data were collected about sociodemographic factors and stressful events, among others.

Anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation affected 10.8, 14.4 and 3.5% of participants, respectively (N = 22 377). These were more common among women, and among those who were aged 30–59 years, uneducated, or divorced/ separated/ widowed. Stress due to financial loss was significant.

The study identified a significant number of people at risk of depression, anxiety and suicide, and needing care.

None.