Characteristics and reasons associated with nonacceptance of selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor treatment.
BACKGROUND
Studies have shown that up to 38% of patients who start treatment with antidepressants fill only a single prescription at the pharmacy, apparently not accepting treatment.


OBJECTIVE
To determine characteristics and reasons associated with nonacceptance of selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment.


METHODS
A retrospective study was conducted in 37 community pharmacies in the Netherlands; patients who presented a prescription from a general practitioner (GP) for a newly started SSRI treatment were selected. Nonaccepters were defined as patients who filled only one SSRI prescription; patients who received at least 3 fills of an SSRI prescription were defined as accepters. Patient characteristics were obtained from automated dispensing records and from questionnaires. Areas of evaluation included sociodemographics, disease, and treatment. Nonaccepters were asked their reasons for not filling second prescriptions.


RESULTS
Of the patients who started SSRI treatment, 22.0% were nonaccepters, filling only a single prescription. Fifty-seven nonaccepters and 128 accepters were included in our analysis. Nonacceptance was more common among patients with a low level of education (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.1 to 5.9) and in patients who reported nonspecific symptoms like fatigue, stress, and restlessness as the reason for SSRI use (OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.4 to 5.5). Of the nonaccepters, 29.8% (n = 17) did not start SSRI use, and 70.2% (n = 40) discontinued SSRI use within 2 weeks. Fear of adverse effects and the actual occurrence of adverse effects were main reasons for not accepting SSRI treatment. Of the nonaccepters, 55.0% discontinued treatment without informing their GPs.


CONCLUSIONS
Acceptance of SSRI treatment is a decisive moment in a patient's adherence to treatment initiated by his or her GP and deserves more attention; GPs and pharmacists should address treatment issues, especially in groups at risk for nonacceptance.
van Geffen
Erica C G
EC
Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacotherapy, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.
van Hulten
Rolf
R
Bouvy
Marcel L
ML
Egberts
Antoine C G
AC
Heerdink
Eibert R
ER
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000639:trends; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000523:psychology / Q000639:trends; D010819:Physician's Role / Q000523:psychology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors