Indications related to antidepressant prescribing in the Nivel-PCD database and the SIDIAP database.

BACKGROUND: Antidepressant drug consumption has increased, mainly in the elderly. This trend could be explained by the use for indications other than depression. We aimed to describe the indications related to antidepressant drug new users in two primary care settings. METHODS: A longitudinal study of new antidepressant users aged ≥65 was conducted, with data from the Nivel-PCD (The Netherlands) and SIDIAP (Catalonia) databases (2010-2015). As a proxy for indication, diagnoses registered around the 3 months of antidepressant prescribing were collected. Indications were classified in seven categories and an additional one of non-selected indications. The percentage and incidence calculated over the total population registered was described. RESULTS: A total of 16,537 and 199,168 new antidepressant users were identified in the Nivel-PCD and SIDIAP databases, respectively (women aged 65-69 were the most prevalent). Depression was the most frequent indication (24.0% and 31.3%), followed by anxiety (12.5% and 19.5%) and sleep disorders (10.2% and 26.4%). Tricyclic antidepressants were the most commonly prescribed in Nivel-PCD (48.7%), mainly associated with neuropathic pain, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants in SIDIAP (63.1%), associated with depression. The non-selected indications category showed an upward trend in the Nivel-PCD database while in the SIDIAP database it decreased. LIMITATIONS: It is not mandatory for physicians to register a diagnosis with each prescription. CONCLUSIONS: Depression was the most common prescribing indication in The Netherlands and Spain, followed by anxiety and sleep disorders. The most commonly prescribed antidepressant differed between the countries and is likely explained by differences in local guidelines.

Adherence to Direct Oral Anticoagulants in Patients With Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillation: A Cross-National Comparison in Six European Countries (2008-2015).

Aims: To describe and compare the adherence to different direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in eight European databases representing six countries. Methods: Longitudinal drug utilization study of new users (≥18 years) of DOACs (dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban) with a diagnosis of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (2008-2015). Adherence was examined by estimating persistence, switching, and discontinuation rates at 12 months. Primary non-adherence was estimated in BIFAP and SIDIAP databases. Results: The highest persistence rate was seen for apixaban in the CPRD database (81%) and the lowest for dabigatran in the Mondriaan database (22%). The switching rate for all DOACs ranged from 2.4 to 13.1% (Mondriaan and EGB databases, respectively). Dabigatran had the highest switching rate from 5.0 to 20.0% (Mondriaan and EGB databases, respectively). The discontinuation rate for all DOACs ranged from 16.0 to 63.9% (CPRD and Bavarian CD databases, respectively). Dabigatran had the highest rate of discontinuers, except in the Bavarian CD and AOK NORDWEST databases, ranging from 23.2 to 64.6% (CPRD and Mondriaan databases, respectively). Combined primary non-adherence for examined DOACs was 11.1% in BIFAP and 14.0% in SIDIAP. There were differences in population coverage and in the type of drug data source among the databases. Conclusion: Despite the differences in the characteristics of the databases and in demographic and baseline characteristics of the included population that could explain some of the observed discrepancies, we can observe a similar pattern throughout the databases. Apixaban was the DOAC with the highest persistence. Dabigatran had the highest proportion of discontinuers and switchers at 12 months in most databases (EMA/2015/27/PH).

The effect of non-adherence to antipsychotic treatment on rehospitalization in patients with psychotic disorders.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Many patients with psychotic disorders are non-adherent to antipsychotic (AP) medication(s), potentially contributing to rehospitalization. It is unknown whether non-adherence in different phases of AP use is associated with rehospitalization. The aim of this study was to assess the association between non-adherence to APs and rehospitalization in patients with psychotic disorders. Non-adherence was assessed specifically for the initiation, continued drug use and early discontinuation of AP use. METHODS: A retrospective follow-up study was performed. Adult patients were included at discharge if they suffered from schizophrenia, psychotic, or bipolar I disorder; had been hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital for ⩾7 days; and were treated with oral APs. Patients discharged between January 2006 and December 2009 from Altrecht Mental Health Care were included. Non-adherence was studied in the three phases of medication use: initiation, continued drug use (implementation) and (early) discontinuation after discharge until the end of follow up or until patients were rehospitalized. Cox regression analysis was used to assess the strength of the association between non-adherence for the different phases of AP use and rehospitalization during follow up and expressed as relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: A total of 417 patients were included. Patients who did not initiate their APs compared with those who did in the first month (RR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.19-2.19) and between the first and third month after discharge (RR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.04-2.79) had the highest risk for rehospitalization during follow up. Overall, patients who did not initiate their AP medication within the first year after discharge had a RR of 2.70 (95% CI: 1.97-3.68) for rehospitalization during follow up compared with those that initiated their AP. CONCLUSION: Not initiating APs right after discharge was associated with an increased risk of rehospitalization. Interventions should aim to promote the initiation of APs soon after discharge to minimize the risk of rehospitalization.

[Reducing medication waste; a challenge for care providers and society]. / Geneesmiddelverspilling verminderen.

Annually, in the Netherlands, at least 100 million euro is wasted on unused medication. This waste not only has considerable economic implications, but is also associated with an unnecessary burden on the environment and suboptimal care due to nonadherence to therapy. The reasons for medication wastage can be found throughout the entire pharmaceutical supply and use chain, which includes manufacturers, distributors/wholesalers, prescribers, pharmacists and patients, both in the community and hospital setting. A number of strategies are needed to minimize the waste of medication, one of which should be a preventative approach. Involvement of all stakeholders in the supply chain is a prerequisite for a successful outcome. It is important that prescribers are aware of the extent and consequences of wastage, and of the possible ways to reduce it.

Adverse events related to biologicals used for patients with multiple sclerosis: a comparison between information originating from regulators and information originating from the scientific community.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Clinical decision making is facilitated by healthcare professionals' and patients' adequate knowledge of the adverse events. This is especially important for biologicals used for treating multiple sclerosis (MS). So far, little is known about whether different information sources report adverse events consistently. METHODS: Biologicals authorized by the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of MS were included in this study. Information on adverse events derived from phase 3 clinical trials from European Public Assessment Reports (EPARs) and from scientific publications was compared. RESULTS: In the study, eight biologicals used for the treatment of MS were included for which the EPAR and/or scientific publication reported a total of 707 adverse events. Approximately one-third of the adverse events was reported in both the EPAR and scientific publication, one-third was only reported in the EPAR and one-third only in the scientific publication. Serious adverse events and adverse events that regulators classified as 'important identified risk' were significantly more often reported in both sources compared to adverse events not classified as such (respectively, 38% vs. 30% and 49% vs. 30%). Adverse events only reported in the EPAR or in the scientific publication were, in general, not described in the benefit-risk section or abstract, which were considered to be the most important sections of the documents. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that there is substantial discordance in the reporting of adverse events on the same phase 3 trials between EPARs and scientific publications. To support optimal clinical decision making, both documents should be considered.

Associations between personality traits and adequate home storage of drugs in older patients.

The objective of this study was to investigate the association between personality traits of older patients and adequate home storage of drugs. Forty-four participating Dutch community pharmacists randomly selected each up to four community-dwelling elderly patients (≥65 years) who were using at least one prescription drug. The Big Five Inventory was used to assess the personality traits - 'openness', 'conscientiousness', 'extraversion', 'agreeableness' and 'neuroticism' - of patients. An assessment of adequate home storage of drugs was made using a summed composite score for each patient ranging from zero (adequate storage) to three (inadequate storage) was based on storage criteria representing quality, information and level of storage organization. A 51.2% of the patients stored drugs adequately in accordance with all quality ("Q") and information ("I") criteria. A high level of drug storage organization was found in 70.8% of patients. Forty-three patients (31.4%) stored their drugs adequately based on all storage criteria (composite storage score 0). No associations between personality dimensions and adequate drug storage were found. Having a lower number of drugs was associated with adequate drug home storage (ORadjusted 0.86; 95% CI: 0.77-0.96). In conclusion, this study suggests that personality is not associated with adequate home storage of drugs in older patients.

Quantity and economic value of unused oral anti-cancer and biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs among outpatient pharmacy patients who discontinue therapy.

BACKGROUND: Patients sometimes discontinue the use of expensive oral anti-cancer drug (OACD) or biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (bDMARD) therapies early, leading to medication waste if the patient has not used all dispensed medication. OBJECTIVE: To determine the proportion of patients who have unused OACDs or bDMARDs after therapy discontinuation, and the quantity and economic value of these unused medications. Furthermore, patients' reasons for therapy discontinuation and their disposal method for unused medications were determined. METHODS: In a retrospective follow-up study using a Dutch outpatient pharmacy database, patients (≥18 years) who did not refill an OACD or bDMARD prescription, dispensed between November 2015 and February 2016, within two weeks of the prescription end date were contacted by phone and asked about their unused medication and reasons thereof. The economic value was calculated using Dutch medication prices. Data were descriptively analyzed in STATA13. RESULTS: The database included 1173 patients, of whom 159 likely had discontinued therapy and were contacted. Of these, 88 patients were excluded (39 refilled, 47 missing, and 2 other). Of the 71 patients who had discontinued therapy, 39 (54.9%) had unused medications, comprising 22 OACD users (mean age 63.0 (SD ±â€¯15.9) years, 50.0% female) and 17 bDMARD users (mean age 50.7 (SD ±â€¯13.5) years, 47.1% female). A total of 59 packages were unused, with a total value of €60,341. Unused OACD packages and bDMARD packages had median values of €179 (IQR €24-2487) and €992 (IQR €681-1093), respectively. Patients primarily discontinued therapy due to adverse or insufficient effects. CONCLUSIONS: This study illustrates that more than half of patients discontinuing OACD or bDMARD therapies have unused medication. This emphasizes the need for waste-reducing interventions.

Actual versus recommended storage temperatures of oral anticancer medicines at patients' homes.

BACKGROUND: Substantial quantities of unused medicines are returned by patients to the pharmacy each year. Redispensing these medicines would reduce medicinal waste and health care costs. However, it is not known if medicines are stored by patients as recommended in the product label. Inadequate storage may negatively affect the medicine and reduce clinical efficacy whilst increasing the risk for side effects. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the proportion of patients storing oral anticancer medicines according to the temperature instructions in the product label. METHODS: Consenting adult patients from six Dutch outpatient hospital pharmacies were included in this study if they used an oral anticancer medicine during February 2014 - January 2015. Home storage temperatures were assessed by inclusion of a temperature logger in the original cancer medicines packaging. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients storing oral anticancer medicines as specified in the Summary of Product Characteristics, either by recalculating the observed temperature fluctuations to a single mean kinetic temperature or by following the temperature instructions taking into account a consecutive 24-h tolerance period. RESULTS: Ninety (81.1%) of the 111 included patients (47.8% female, mean age 65.2 (SD: 11.1)) returned their temperature loggers to the pharmacy. None of the patients stored oral anticancer medicines at a mean kinetic temperature above 25℃, one patient stored a medicine requiring storage below 25℃ longer than 24 h above 25℃. None of the patients using medicines requiring storage below 30℃ kept their medicine above 30℃ for a consecutive period of 24 h or longer. CONCLUSION: The majority of patients using oral anticancer medicines store their medicines according to the temperature requirements on the product label claim. Based on our results, most oral anticancer medicines will not be negatively affected by temperature conditions at patients' homes for a maximum of three months and are likely to be suitable for redispensing.

Patient and medication factors associated with preventable medication waste and possibilities for redispensing.

Background Knowledge on factors related to preventable medication waste and waste-reducing interventions, including redispensing unused medications, is needed to maximise effectiveness. Objective To assess patient and medication factors associated with preventable medication waste and possibilities for redispensing unused medications. Setting Dutch community pharmacies. Methods In this cross-sectional study, pharmacy-staff registered patient and medication characteristics of prescription medications returned to 41 Dutch community pharmacies during 1 week in 2014. Medications were classified as preventable waste if the remaining amount could have been prevented and as theoretically eligible for redispensing if the package was unopened, undamaged and ≥ 6 months until the expiry date. Associations were analysed using multivariate logistic regression. Main outcome measures Proportion of medications classified as preventable waste and as eligible for redispensing, including factors associated with these medications. Results Overall, 279 persons returned 759 (low-cost) medications, and 39.3% was classified as preventable waste. These medications were more frequently used by men than women (OR; 1.7[1.2-2.3]) and by older (> 65 years) than younger patients (OR; 1.4[1.0-2.0]). Medications dispensed for longer periods were more often unnecessary wasted (1-3 months OR; 1.8[1.1-3.0], > 3 months 3.2[1.5-6.9]). Of all returned medications, 19.1% was eligible for redispensing. These medications were more frequently used by men than women (OR; 1.9[1.3-2.9]). Medications chronically used were more frequently eligible for redispensing than acute use (OR; 2.1[1.0-4.3]), and used for longer periods (1-3 months OR; 4.6[2.3-8.9], > 3 months 7.8[3.3-18.5]). Conclusions Over one-third of waste due to medications returned to community pharmacies can be prevented. One-fifth of returned medications can be redispensed, but this seems less interesting from an economic viewpoint.

The Impact of Inadequate Temperature Storage Conditions on Aggregate and Particle Formation in Drugs Containing Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Inhibitors.

PURPOSE: To measure aggregate and particle formation in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors etanercept, adalimumab and certolizumab pegol product samples after exposure to freezing temperature conditions similar to storage conditions previously observed in patients' homes. METHODS: TNF-α inhibitors in their original primary and secondary packaging were exposed to 32 freeze-thaw cycles (-10°C for 120min/5°C for 60 min) or continuous low storage temperature (-20°C for 96 h) before thawing at 2-8°C. Non-stressed products were used as controls. The products were analyzed by high pressure size exclusion chromatography (HP-SEC), dynamic light scattering (DLS), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), micro-flow imaging (MFI) and second derivative ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy. RESULTS: Ten out of twenty-one stressed product samples (47.6%) showed increased particle numbers in the submicron and micron size range when compared to controls. For each product, DLS, MFI and NTA detected an increase in particle level in at least one stressed syringe (both continuous freezing and freeze-thaw), whereas HP-SEC and UV spectroscopy showed no differences between stressed and non-stressed products. CONCLUSION: TNF-α inhibitors are relatively resistant to freezing temperatures similar to storage conditions previously observed in patients' homes. However, almost half of the stressed product samples showed formation of particles in the submicron and micron size range.

Do patients initiate therapy? Primary non-adherence to statins and antidepressants in Iceland.

BACKGROUND: Primary non-adherence occurs when a drug has been prescribed but the patient fails to have it dispensed at the pharmacy. AIMS: To assess primary non-adherence to statins and antidepressants in Iceland, the association of demographic factors with primary non-adherence, and the time from when a prescription is issued until it is dispensed. METHODS: Data on patients receiving a new prescription for a statin or an antidepressant from the Primary Health Care database were linked with dispensing histories from The Icelandic Prescription Database. The proportion of patients who did not have their prescription dispensed within a year from issuing (primary non-adherent) was assessed, as well as the time from issue until dispensing. Associations between demographic factors and primary non-adherence were estimated using logistic regression. RESULTS: The overall primary non-adherence was 6.3% and 8.0% for statins and antidepressants, respectively. The majority of patients had their prescription dispensed within 7 days (85% for statins, 87% for antidepressants). Being disabled and receiving a prescription for an expensive drug was associated with higher rates of primary non-adherence. CONCLUSION: The rate of primary non-adherence to statins and antidepressants in Iceland is low. Vulnerable groups such as the disabled should be given special attention when new drugs are prescribed.

Antidepressant prescribing in five European countries: application of common definitions to assess the prevalence, clinical observations, and methodological implications.

PURPOSE: Drug utilization studies have applied different methods to various data types to describe medication use, which hampers comparisons across populations. The aim of this study was to describe the time trends in antidepressant prescribing in the last decade and the variation in the prevalence, calculated in a uniform manner, in seven European electronic healthcare databases. METHODS: Annual prevalence per 10,000 person-years (PYs) was calculated for 2001-2009 in databases from Spain, Germany, Denmark, the United Kingdom (UK), and the Netherlands. Prevalence data were stratified according to age, sex, antidepressant type (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors [SSRIs] or tricyclic antidepressants [TCAs]) and major indications. RESULTS: The age- and sex-standardized prevalence was lowest in the two Dutch (391 and 429 users per 10,000 PYs) and highest in the two UK (913 and 936 users per 10,000 PYs) populations in 2008. The prevalence in the Danish, German, and Spanish populations was 637, 618, and 644 users per 10,000 PY respectively. Antidepressants were prescribed most often in 20- to 60-year-olds in the two UK populations compared with the others. SSRIs were prescribed more often than TCAs in all except the German population. In the majority of countries we observed an increasing trend of antidepressant prescribing over time. Two different methods identifying recorded indications yielded different ranges of proportions of patients recorded with the specific indication (15-57% and 39-69% for depression respectively). CONCLUSION: Despite applying uniform methods, variations in the prevalence of antidepressant prescribing were obvious in the different populations. Database characteristics and clinical factors may both explain these variations.

Incidence rates and trends of hip/femur fractures in five European countries: comparison using e-healthcare records databases.

Hip fractures represent a major public health challenge worldwide. Multinational studies using a common methodology are scarce. We aimed to estimate the incidence rates (IRs) and trends of hip/femur fractures over the period 2003-2009 in five European countries. The study was performed using seven electronic health-care records databases (DBs) from Denmark, The Netherlands, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom, based on the same protocol. Yearly IRs of hip/femur fractures were calculated for the general population and for those aged ≥50 years. Trends over time were evaluated using linear regression analysis for both crude and standardized IRs. Sex- and age-standardized IRs for the UK, Netherlands, and Spanish DBs varied from 9 to 11 per 10,000 person-years for the general population and from 22 to 26 for those ≥50 years old; the German DB showed slightly higher IRs (about 13 and 30, respectively), whereas the Danish DB yielded IRs twofold higher (19 and 52, respectively). IRs increased exponentially with age in both sexes. The ratio of females to males was ≥2 for patients aged ≥70-79 years in most DBs. Statistically significant trends over time were only shown for the UK DB (CPRD) (+0.7% per year, P < 0.01) and the Danish DB (-1.4% per year, P < 0.01). IRs of hip/femur fractures varied greatly across European countries. With the exception of Denmark, no decreasing trend was observed over the study period.

Primary-care patients' trade-off preferences with regard to antidepressants.

BACKGROUND: Antidepressants are frequently prescribed but results regarding their efficacy have been equivocal for different spectra of the severity continuum and their side-effects are often burdensome. Non-adherence is a likely consequence. The objective was therefore to examine patients' trade-offs between the efficacy, side-effects and other drawbacks of antidepressants and whether these trade-offs predicted non-adherence. METHOD: Trade-offs from 225 antidepressant users, recruited through community pharmacies, were assessed with an Adaptive Conjoint Analysis (ACA) choice task that was customized to each individual patient. From the estimated utilities, relative importance scores of treatment properties were calculated. Non-adherence was measured through self-report and pharmacy refill data. RESULTS: Relapse prevention and symptom relief were on average equally important. Side-effects were as important and the side-effect stomach and intestine complaints was on average even slightly more important than relapse prevention and symptom relief. Additional treatment with psychotherapy was preferred by 61% of the patients. A benefit/drawback ratio revealed that 18% of the patients did not consider the efficacy to outweigh the drawbacks. A higher benefit/drawback ratio was associated with a decreased odds of intentional non-adherence [odds ratio (OR) 0.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.07-0.7, Wald = 6.7, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: For nearly one in five patients, the efficacy of antidepressants does not outweigh their drawbacks. Knowing patients' trade-offs is likely to aid both physicians and patients to identify important treatment preferences, to improve adherence and to make more deliberate decisions on whether or not to continue treatment.

Prevalence of medication use for somatic disease in institutionalized psychiatric patients.

INTRODUCTION: Psychiatric patients may use medications for their psychiatric condition as well as for treating concurrent somatic diseases or somatic side effects of psychiatric medicines. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of use of medication for somatic disease in institutionalized psychiatric patients and changes therein during 2006-2010. METHOD: A cross-sectional study in institutionalized psychiatric patients was performed. Medication use for somatic disease on 10 time points between 2006 and 2010 was investigated and stratified by gender, age, psychiatric medication class and the number of different psychiatric medication classes used. RESULTS: The prevalence of use of medication for somatic disease increased from 67.5% in 2006 to 76.9% in 2010. The median number of medications used for somatic disease per patient was 3 between 2006 and 2010. Approximately one-third (34.1%) of the patients received ≥ 3 medications intended for treating somatic disease in 2006 which increased to 46.3% in 2010. In 2010, the prevalence of medication use for somatic disease was highest for analgesics and antirheumatics (34.0%), acid and bowel related medication (25.6%) and anticholinergic medication (24.2%). Medication use for somatic disease was highest in patients ≥ 60 years (95.3%), patients treated with more than one psychiatric medication class (87.5%) and patients treated with mood stabilizers (90.6%). DISCUSSION: Somatic medication use is high in institutionalized psychiatric patients. More attention is needed for co-use of psychiatric and somatic medications to prevent side effects, drug-disease or drug-drug interactions. More research is needed to investigate if somatic care is optimal in institutionalized psychiatric patients.

The association between lifting an administrative restriction on antidepressant dispensing and treatment patterns in Iceland.

PURPOSE: On March 1st 2009, restrictions on the dispensing of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) in Iceland were lifted. Incident rates and changes in early discontinuation and switching before and after the change were investigated. METHODS: New users of antidepressants between March 1st 2006 and March 1st 2010 were selected from the Icelandic Prescriptions Database. The study population was split into one intervention cohort (2009) and three comparison cohorts (2006, 2007, and 2008). Incidence rate ratios (IRR) and odds ratios (OR) were used to compare incidence rates and early discontinuation. RESULTS: The overall incidence rates of antidepressant use decreased from 33.10 to 28.71 per 1000 persons per year (IRR 0.87; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.78-0.97) from the 2006 to the 2009 cohort. The incidence rate for SSRIs did not change over the period. Early discontinuation for SSRIs increased from 30.2% in 2006 to 34.1% in 2009 (OR 1.19; 95% CI 1.06-1.33). CONCLUSIONS: The change in reimbursement does not seem to have affected incidence rates but it may be related to increased early discontinuation, which can lead to increased drug wastage. It might be more clinically rational to initiate patients on smaller supply, allowing for more frequent check-up visits.

Discontinuation of anticoagulant care during admission to a psychiatric hospital.

PURPOSE: Continuation of coumarin therapy is important to prevent thromboembolic events. Continuation of medication, unrelated to the reason for hospital admission, may be at risk due to the patient's psychiatric status and the involvement of several physicians in patient care. METHODS: We performed a retrospective follow-up study of users of orally administered anticoagulants who were admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Information on patient characteristics, anticoagulant use, and International Normalized Ratio (INR) measurements was collected. Discontinuation of anticoagulant care was defined as no anticoagulant dispensing during the first 7 days of hospitalization and/or no INR measurement during hospitalization. Relative risks (RR) of discontinuation, overall and stratified by patient characteristics, was estimated using Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Of 111 patients, 24.3 % had their anticoagulant care discontinued. For 17.1 %, no anticoagulant was dispensed during the first week, and 13.5 % had no INR measurement during hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: Admission to a psychiatric hospital leads to discontinuation of anticoagulant care in 24.3 % of patients, with highest risk of discontinuation in patients admitted to nonpsychogeriatric wards. More research is needed to evaluate the clinical impact of this finding.

Transitions from General Practitioner to Psychiatrist Care (or vice versa) during a first antidepressant treatment episode.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate how frequently patients transit from general practitioner (GP) to psychiatrist care and vice versa during a first antidepressant episode and antidepressant treatment changes associated with those transitions. METHOD: Antidepressant episodes were constructed for patients (> or =18 years) initiating SSRI use in 2000 (N=10 158). Transition in care within a first treatment episode was investigated. Changes in antidepressant treatment were compared between transiting and non-transiting patients. RESULTS: 6.0% of patients who initiate SSRI use in GP practice transited to psychiatrist care, whereas 39.1% of those initiating use in psychiatrist care transited to GP care. Patients transiting from GP to psychiatrist care were more likely to switch to other antidepressants (RR=6.16, 95% CI: 4.90, 7.75) or to other doses (RR=4.48, 95% CI: 3.76, 5.34) than non-transiting patients. No significant differences in antidepressant treatment were found for patients transiting from psychiatric to GP care. DISCUSSION: Approximately 9% of SSRI initiators transit in care. Transitions from GP to psychiatric care lead to antidepressant treatment changes and could potentially be used in observational studies as a disease severity indicator.

Indications for antidepressant drug prescribing in general practice in the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: The intensity of the use of antidepressants in large populations can nowadays relatively easily be estimated using databases encompassing prescription data. There are shortcomings when using prescription databases as they contain no clinical data on patient illness. Antidepressants are prescribed for different illnesses, thus information on the indications could help when interpreting results from database studies on antidepressant drug use. The aim of this study is to investigate for which indications antidepressants are being prescribed in general practice in the Netherlands. METHODS: Data were obtained from the Second Dutch National Survey of General Practice, carried out by NIVEL (N=385,461). Patients, 18 years and older, who received an antidepressant prescription from a general practitioner in 2001 were selected (N=13,835). Indications for antidepressant drug prescribing were identified using time windows of different lengths. RESULTS: Antidepressants are most often being prescribed for depression (45.5%) and anxiety/panic disorders (17.2%). For these indications lengthening the time window around prescription date from 0 to 180 days resulted in an increase of 20-40% in antidepressant drug users identified with these indications. LIMITATION: None of our selected indications could be identified in the physician-patient contact file for about a third of the antidepressant drug users. The study was performed in a general practice setting and did not include antidepressant users who consult psychiatrists. CONCLUSION: GPs prescribe antidepressants predominantly for treating depression. However, using antidepressant drug as a proxy for identifying depressed patients in a prescription database should be done with caution and when possible in combination with clinical data.