Patient satisfaction with antidepressants: an Internet-based study.
BACKGROUND
Patient satisfaction with antidepressants (ADs) depends on various factors whose individual contributions are incompletely understood.


METHODS
An online survey was conducted of 1199 Japanese individuals being treated for major depressive disorder. Satisfaction for each AD was quantified using a 5-point scale. The average of all agents was calculated for each subject and defined as the Satisfaction Score (SS). Those on a single AD medication (n=667) were divided into four subgroups based on their medication: fluvoxamine (n=165), milnacipran (n=91), paroxetine (n=196), and tricyclic antidepressant (TCA; n=103). Among those with higher SS (>or==4.0), their satisfaction reasons were elicited by three multiple-choice responses: efficacy, fewer side effects, and lower dosing frequency. To compare the responses to these three questions among the four subgroups, one-way analysis of variance and post-hoc comparison tests were performed. Logistic regression was done to determine whether these three responses predict higher satisfaction.


RESULTS
The number of ADs taken by an individual was negatively correlated with the SS (r=-.074, p=.011). SS did not correlate with demographic features. SS was similar among the four subgroups but their satisfaction reasons differed. Predictors of higher SS (SS=5.0 versus 4.0) were reporting "efficacy" and "fewer side effects" as satisfaction reasons.


CONCLUSIONS
Web-based surveys have a selection bias, and diagnoses were based on self-reports.


CONCLUSIONS
SS waned as the number of ADs increased. Among users of four ADs, SS was similar but their satisfaction reasons differed. Perceived efficacy and fewer side effects predicted higher drug satisfaction.
Shigemura
Jun
J
Department of Psychiatry, National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa 359-8513 Japan. shige@ndmc.ac.jp
Sato
Yutaka
Y
Yoshino
Aihide
A
Nomura
Soichiro
S
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003521:Cyclopropanes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D016666:Fluvoxamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007564:Japan; D016015:Logistic Models; D000078764:Milnacipran; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D016666:Fluvoxamine; D000078764:Milnacipran; D017374:Paroxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors