Antidepressant prescription pattern in a hospice program.
Prevalence of treatable depression is as high as 25% among terminally ill patients. The incidence of antidepressant use was ascertained at the Mayo Hospice Program in Rochester, Minnesota, from June 1, 2007, to December 31, 2008. The 18-month cumulative probability to receive an antidepressant during hospice was estimated at 11.7%. Depression and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) were the most common clinical indication and class of antidepressant, respectively. Survival was the main predictor to receive an antidepressant with an odds ratio of 2.71 (95%CI: 1.60-4.60) for each additional day in hospice. Proper diagnostic tools for this population, education about the benefits of antidepressants in palliative care, and clear guidelines about antidepressant class and dosages are needed.
Geriatric Psychiatry Clinic, Mental Health Service Line, Minneapolis VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA. pshiroma@umn.edu
Paulo R
PR
Shiroma
Yonas E
YE
Geda
Amit
A
Mohan
Jarrett
J
Richardson
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D017051:Hospice Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D000928:Antidepressive Agents