title: Continuity of outpatient treatment after discharge of patients with major depressive disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to identify the predictors associated with the continuity of outpatient treatment after discharge for patients with major depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records of patients discharged with diagnosis of major depression were analyzed. The subjects were divided into two groups based on whether they regularly visited the outpatient clinic for more than 4 months after discharge.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 4-month follow-up group was older, had a lower employment rate, and had a lower rate of being divorced or separated. The 4-month follow-up group had a longer duration of illness, a higher rate of recurrent major depressive disorder, older age at onset, and a longer duration of index hospitalization. Longer duration of index hospitalization and combination therapy were significantly related to an increased likelihood of 4-month follow-up visits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Duration of hospitalization and prescription pattern of psychotropic medication appeared to have an influence on the continuity of outpatient treatment after discharge.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hee Ryung
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hoo-Rim
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Young-Eun
authors.initials: YE
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Young Sup
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.forename: Tae-Youn
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Jun
authors.forename: Kwang-Soo
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Won-Myong
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Bahk
mesh_terms: D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents