Persisting low use of antipsychotics in the treatment of major depressive disorder with psychotic features.
OBJECTIVE
Practice guidelines recommend the use of a combination of an antidepressant and an antipsychotic for the pharmacologic treatment of major depressive disorder with psychotic features (MD-Psy). We assessed the extent to which the pharmacotherapy received by patients with MD-Psy under usual care conforms to these recommendations.


METHODS
We assessed the pharmacotherapy received under usual care conditions by 100 patients with MD-Psy prior to enrollment in STOP-PD (Study of the Pharmacotherapy of Psychotic Depression), a 12-week randomized, controlled trial comparing olanzapine plus sertraline to olanzapine plus placebo. Our assessment took place from January 2003 to May 2004. The strength of antidepressant trials was rated using the Antidepressant Treatment History Form (ATHF). The strength of antipsychotic trials or combinations of antidepressants and antipsychotics was rated using a modified version of the ATHF. We also determined whether the strength of antipsychotic or combination trials was associated with age, the duration of the current depressive episode, medical burden, cognitive status, or the severity of depressive or psychotic symptoms.


RESULTS
Most patients with MD-Psy were treated with antidepressants (N = 82, 82%) or antipsychotics (N = 65, 65%). About half of the patients (N = 48, 48%) received therapeutic doses of an antidepressant; 10% (N = 10) received an intermediate dose of an antipsychotic, and 6% (N = 6) received a high dose. Overall, only 5% (N = 5) received a combination of an adequate dose of an antidepressant and a high dose of an antipsychotic. The strength of both antipsychotic trials (p = .021) and combination trials (p = .039) was significantly associated only with a longer duration of the current depressive episode.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings show a persisting low use of antipsychotics in the treatment of MD-Psy. Given the high morbidity rates associated with MD-Psy, it is important to continue to educate clinicians regarding its identification and treatment.


BACKGROUND
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00056472.
Andreescu
Carmen
C
Department of Psychiatry, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Mulsant
Benoit H
BH
Peasley-Miklus
Catherine
C
Rothschild
Anthony J
AJ
Flint
Alastair J
AJ
Heo
Moonseong
M
Caswell
Melynda
M
Whyte
Ellen M
EM
Meyers
Barnett S
BS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011379:Prognosis; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents