Abstract
BackgroundAdherence has recently been suggested to be divided into these two components: persistence (i.e., whether patients continue treatment or not) and compliance (i.e., whether patients take doses as instructed). However, no study has yet assessed these two clinically relevant components at the same time in adherence to antidepressant treatment in the clinical outpatient setting.MethodsIn this retrospective chart-review, 6-month adherence to antidepressants was examined in 367 outpatients with a major depressive disorder (ICD-10) (170 males; mean ± SD age 37.6 ± 13.9 years), who started antidepressant treatment from April 2006 through March 2007. Additionally, we evaluated Medication Possession Rate (MPR), defined as the total days a medication was dispensed to patients divided by the treatment period.ResultsOnly 161 patients (44.3%) continued antidepressant treatment for 6 months. Among 252 patients who discontinued their initial antidepressant, 63.1% of these patients did so without consulting their physicians. Sertraline use was associated with a higher persistence rate at month 6 (odds ratio 2.59 in comparison with sulpiride), and the use of anxiolytic benzodiazepines had a positive effect on persistence to antidepressant treatment only at month 1 (odds ratio 2.14). An overall MPR was 0.77; 55.6% of patients were considered compliant (i.e., a MPR of ≥ 0.8).ConclusionGiven a high rate of antidepressant discontinuation without consulting their physicians, closer communication between patients and their physicians should be encouraged. Although the use of anxiolytic benzodiazepines was associated with a higher persistence to antidepressant treatment at month 1, the use of these drugs should be avoided as a rule, given their well-known serious adverse effects.
Highlights
IntroductionAdherence has recently been suggested to be divided into these two components: persistence (i.e., whether patients continue treatment or not) and compliance (i.e., whether patients take doses as instructed)
Adherence has recently been suggested to be divided into these two components: persistence and compliance
Compliance is the extent in accordance with prescribed dosage and schedule, which can be assessed with Medication Possession Rate (MPR)
Summary
Adherence has recently been suggested to be divided into these two components: persistence (i.e., whether patients continue treatment or not) and compliance (i.e., whether patients take doses as instructed). It is common to encounter patients who regularly come to see their physicians but do not always take their medications as instructed To take this fact into consideration, adherence has recently been suggested to be divided into these two components: persistence and compliance [5]. Compliance is the extent in accordance with prescribed dosage and schedule, which can be assessed with Medication Possession Rate (MPR) (i.e., total days a medication was dispensed to patients divided by treatment period in days) These two components represent different aspects of patients' behaviours and should be separately assessed, which has been reflected in recent studies in other physical and psychiatric diseases [6,7], including schizophrenia [5] and bipolar disorder [8]. This study did not evaluate effects of clinical characteristics and other antidepressant drugs on persistence and compliance
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call