A preliminary study to examine the adequacy of long-term treatment of depression and the extent of recovery in general practice.
About 1% of patients in general practice take antidepressants for long periods. Many receive repeat prescriptions, without review. It might be assumed that these patients are well and are on adequate maintenance treatment. Our findings refute this assumption; of 78 patients on long-term repeats, only a third were in remission and a fifth had Beck Depression Inventory scores suggesting persisting syndromal major depression. Subtherapeutic dosing of classic tricyclics was the norm rather than the exception. Patients on long term antidepressant treatment need regular review and adequate treatment to ensure remission is maintained.
Hawley
C J
CJ
Mood Disorders Clinic, Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, Hertfordshire.
Quick
S J
SJ
Harding
M J
MJ
Pattinson
H
H
Sivakumaran
T
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors