title: Persistence with Newly Initiated Antidepressant Medication in Rhode Island Medicaid: Analysis and Insights for Promoting Patient Adherence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe persistence to newly prescribed antidepressant medications within the Rhode Island Medicaid population.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study analyzed antidepressant medication persistence in a cohort of new users for a period spanning 2013-2014, focusing on the acute treatment phase (first 12 weeks of treatment). Covariates assessed included patient gender, age, comorbidity status, and measures of health system utilization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 53.8% of patients persisted with medication for at least 12 weeks. (Figure 1). Persistence was increased with age > 35, and lower among patients lacking a follow-up visit. Multivariable analyses revealed that patients having at least one office visit during the follow-up period were nearly 2.5 times more likely to persist as compared to patients lacking such visits (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.77-3.35). Persistence was 22% more likely among patients receiving psychiatric services (OR 1.22; 95% CI 1.00-1.48).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antidepressant treatment persistence within the R.I. Medicaid population is suboptimal, and lowest among patients lacking follow-up care.
authors.affiliation: Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Program in Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kogut
authors.affiliation: Professor and Associate Dean, URI College of Pharmacy, Kingston, RI.
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Quilliam
authors.affiliation: Clinical Associate Professor, URI College of Pharmacy, Kingston, RI.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Marcoux
authors.affiliation: Healthcare Policy Analyst, RI Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: McQuade
authors.affiliation: Program Specialist, R.I. Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wojciechowski
authors.affiliation: Research Associate, URI College of Pharmacy, Kingston, RI.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wentworth
authors.affiliation: Vice President of Integrated Behavioral Health, Prospect CharterCare, LLC, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Plonsky
authors.affiliation: Administrator for Medical Services, RI Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Providence, RI.
authors.forename: Noelle
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wood
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008484:Medicaid; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012237:Rhode Island; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents
keywords: Medicaid; antidepressant; depression; medication persistence