Antidepressant class and dosing among older Mexican Americans: application of geropsychiatric treatment guidelines.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to characterize patterns and correlates of antidepressant drugs (AD) among older Mexican Americans (MAs).


METHODS
This study consisted of a cross-sectional, community-based sample from Northern California. AD class and dosing label information were inventoried and compared with Expert Consensus Guidelines for geriatric depression pharmacotherapy.


RESULTS
Overall, 7.1% had been prescribed an AD, but 4.9% were within starting dose ranges. Fewer ADs (3.9%) were consistent with Consensus class and dose guidelines. Depressive symptoms and diabetes were significant positive predictors of ADs. Recent immigrants had lower odds of AD prescriptions.


CONCLUSIONS
AD prescriptions among older MAs are low. Omitting AD class and dosing information may overestimate pharmacotherapy for geriatric depression.
González
Hector M
HM
Department of Epidemiology, University of Michigan, School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104-2029, USA. hmgonz@umich.edu
Hinton
Ladson
L
Ortiz
Teresa
T
Haan
Mary N
MN
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002140:California; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000928:Antidepressive Agents