Bridget M Smith1, Frances M Weaver, Philip M Ullrich. 1. Center for Management of Complex Chronic Care and VA Spinal Cord Injury Quality Research Initiative, Hines VA Hospital, Hines, Illinois 60141, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to examine the prevalence of depression diagnoses among veterans with spinal cord injuries and disabilities (SCI&D) for a 3-yr period, and to characterize patterns of antidepressant medication use in this population. DESIGN: This study was a retrospective analysis of clinical and administrative data. The sample consisted of 3678 veterans with SCI&D who had received any health care at a Department of Veterans Affairs facility between fiscal years 1999 and 2001, a depression diagnosis, and complete data. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine associations between patient characteristics, antidepressant types, and prescription patterns. RESULTS: Approximately 22% of veterans with SCI&D received a diagnosis of depression during at least one encounter with a healthcare provider. Of those diagnosed, 72% received antidepressant prescriptions. However, a large percentage (67%) did not continue antidepressant use for 6 mos. Patients started on a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor were more likely to have at least 6 mos of continuous use than patients started on other, newer antidepressants. CONCLUSIONS: Many veterans with SCI&D may not be receiving adequate treatment for depression. Veterans with SCI&D should be aggressively screened and treated for depression, and further research is necessary to determine which treatments for depression are most effective for persons with SCI&D.
OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to examine the prevalence of depression diagnoses among veterans with spinal cord injuries and disabilities (SCI&D) for a 3-yr period, and to characterize patterns of antidepressant medication use in this population. DESIGN: This study was a retrospective analysis of clinical and administrative data. The sample consisted of 3678 veterans with SCI&D who had received any health care at a Department of Veterans Affairs facility between fiscal years 1999 and 2001, a depression diagnosis, and complete data. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine associations between patient characteristics, antidepressant types, and prescription patterns. RESULTS: Approximately 22% of veterans with SCI&D received a diagnosis of depression during at least one encounter with a healthcare provider. Of those diagnosed, 72% received antidepressant prescriptions. However, a large percentage (67%) did not continue antidepressant use for 6 mos. Patients started on a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor were more likely to have at least 6 mos of continuous use than patients started on other, newer antidepressants. CONCLUSIONS: Many veterans with SCI&D may not be receiving adequate treatment for depression. Veterans with SCI&D should be aggressively screened and treated for depression, and further research is necessary to determine which treatments for depression are most effective for persons with SCI&D.
Authors: Charles H Bombardier; Jesse R Fann; Catherine S Wilson; Allen W Heinemann; J Scott Richards; Ann Marie Warren; Larry Brooks; Catherine A Warms; Nancy R Temkin; Denise G Tate Journal: J Spinal Cord Med Date: 2013-11-26 Impact factor: 1.985
Authors: Philip M Ullrich; Bridget M Smith; Frederic C Blow; Marcia Valenstein; Frances M Weaver Journal: J Spinal Cord Med Date: 2013-11-26 Impact factor: 1.985
Authors: Scott D McDonald; Melody N Mickens; Lisa D Goldberg-Looney; Brian J Mutchler; Michael S Ellwood; Teodoro A Castillo Journal: J Spinal Cord Med Date: 2017-03-13 Impact factor: 1.985
Authors: Sander L Hitzig; Rebecca Titman; Steven Orenczuk; Teren Clarke; Heather Flett; Vanessa K Noonan; Patricia Bain; Sandra Mills; Farnoosh Farahani; Matheus Joner Wiest; Gaya Jeyathevan; S Mohammad Alavinia; B Catharine Craven Journal: J Spinal Cord Med Date: 2019-10 Impact factor: 1.985