title: Persistence with antidepressant drugs in patients with dementia: a retrospective database analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aims of the present study are to determine what proportion of patients with dementia receives antidepressants, how long the treatment is administered, and what factors increase the risk of discontinuation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was based on Disease Analyzer database and included 1,203 general practitioners (GP) and 209 neurologists/psychiatrists (NP). 12,281 patients with a diagnosis of dementia and an initial prescription of an antidepressant drug between January 2004 and December 2013 were included. The main outcome measure was antidepressant discontinuation rates within 6 months of the index date.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 6 months of follow-up, 52.7% of dementia patients treated with antidepressants had stopped medication intake. There was a significantly decreased risk for treatment discontinuation for patients using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRRIs) or serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSNRIs) compared to tricyclic antidepressants. There was a significantly increased risk of treatment discontinuation for older patients and patients treated in NP practice. Comorbidity of diabetes or history of stroke was associated with a decreased risk of treatment discontinuation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study results show insufficient persistence in antidepressant treatment in dementia patients in a real world setting. The improvement must be achieved to ensure the treatment recommended in the guidelines.
authors.forename: Anke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Booker
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bohlken
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rapp
authors.forename: Karel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kostev
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D015897:Comorbidity; D016208:Databases, Factual; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents