title: Utilization of Psychopharmacological Treatment Among Patients With Newly Diagnosed Bipolar Disorder From 2001 to 2010.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to examine utilization and patterns of psychopharmacological treatment during a 1-year follow-up period among patients with newly diagnosed bipolar disorder from 2001 to 2010.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with newly diagnosed bipolar disorder from 2001 to 2010 were identified from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. We assessed prescription records related to 4 kinds of psychopharmacological medication, including antipsychotics (APs), antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and benzodiazepines, as well as health care utilization in a 1-year follow-up period among the study subjects. In addition, logistic regressions were applied to test the trends for utilization of psychopharmacological treatment during the 10-year study period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 2703 patients newly diagnosed with bipolar disorder were enrolled. The ratio of good adherence, defined as medications possession ratio greater than 0.8, for use of the examined psychopharmacological medication was relatively low during the study period. The use of first-generation APs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, lithium, carbamazepine, and benzodiazepines has declined; however, the use of second-generation APs, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, lamotrigine, and valproate has risen markedly during the 10-year period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study presents patterns of pharmacological treatment in patients with newly diagnosed bipolar disorder in Taiwan for a 10-year study period. It would be of importance to further investigate causes and outcomes for polytherapy and nonadherence to psychotropic medications among patients with bipolar disorder.
authors.affiliation: From the *Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Lin-Kou and Chang Gung University; †Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei; ‡Department of Psychiatry, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City; §Division of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan; ∥Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; and ¶Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Chia-Ming
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Chi-Shin
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Ya-Wen
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Yeuk-Lun
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Chau
authors.forename: Hui-Ju
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Tsai
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013624:Taiwan; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D018692:Antimanic Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D001569:Benzodiazepines