Rate of Non-Adherence Prior to Upward Dose Titration in Previously Stable Antidepressant UsersThe objective of the study was to examine patients’ medication adherence profiles prior to the patients receiving an increase in their antidepressant dosage. Non-adherence is a contributing factor to disease relapse and may result in needless increases in antidepressant dosing. The study analyzed de-identified medical and pharmacy claims data from July 2007 through December 2008. Subjects included in the study were on a specific dose of an antidepressant for at least six months before receiving a prescription for an increased dose of the antidepressant. Patients’ adherence during the look-back period (6-18 months prior to the medication increase) was then measured by the medication possession ratio (MPR: the percentage of time the patient had access to the medication). Patients were considered adherent if their MPR was 80% or greater. Data was reviewed for the entire study group and by various parameters (e.g., age, sex and pharmacy channel). Of the 53,530 patients included in the study, 29.7% were poorly adherent to their antidepressants prior to the dose increase. Within the various subgroups, adherence rates were lower among young people (those18 and younger), females, and patients with lower disease comorbidity. Patients using a mail-order pharmacy were more adherent than those using a retail pharmacy. This study showed that nearly one-in-three patients who received an increase antidepressant dosage were not taking their medication as prescribed prior to the increase. Dr. David Muzina1, Dr. Matthew Keene2, Dr. Donald Malone3, Rocco Lulic1, Rich Baudisch1 and Dr. Inderpal Bhandari1 Based on a study by the Medco Research InstituteTM presented at the 2010 American Psychiatric Association’s 62nd Institute on Psychiatric Services 1Medco Health Solutions, Inc., Franklin Lakes, NJ |