title: Treatment of Adult Depression in the United States.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Despite recent increased use of antidepressants in the United States, concerns persist that many adults with depression do not receive treatment, whereas others receive treatments that do not match their level of illness severity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To characterize the treatment of adult depression in the United States.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of screen-positive depression, psychological distress, and depression treatment data from 46 417 responses to the Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys taken in US households by participants aged 18 years or older in 2012 and 2013.
  
  
  METHODS
  Percentages of adults with screen-positive depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-2 score of ≥ 3) and adjusted odds ratios (AORs) of the effects of sociodemographic characteristics on odds of screen-positive depression; percentages with treatment for screen-positive depression and AORs; percentages with any treatment of depression and AORs stratified by presence of serious psychological distress (Kessler 6 scale score of ≥13); and percentages with depression treatment by health care professional group (psychiatrists, other health care professionals, and general medical providers); and type of depression treatment (antidepressants, psychotherapy, and both) all stratified by distress level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Approximately 8.4% (95% CI, 7.9-8.8) of adults screened positive for depression, of which 28.7% received any depression treatment. Conversely, among all adults treated for depression, 29.9% had screen-positive depression and 21.8% had serious psychological distress. Adults with serious compared with less serious psychological distress who were treated for depression were more likely to receive care from psychiatrists (33.4% vs 17.3%, P < .001) or other mental health specialists (16.2% vs 9.6%, P < .001), and less likely to receive depression care exclusively from general medical professionals (59.0% vs 74.4%, P < .001). They were also more likely to receive psychotherapy (32.5% vs 20.6%, P < .001), though not antidepressant medications (81.1% vs 88.6%, P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most US adults who screen positive for depression did not receive treatment for depression, whereas most who were treated did not screen positive. In light of these findings, it is important to strengthen efforts to align depression care with each patient's clinical needs.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University and New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York.
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Olfson
authors: National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, Maryland.
authors: Carlos
authors: C
authors: Blanco
authors: School of Social Practice & Policy, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
authors: Steven C
authors: SC
authors: Marcus
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008403:Mass Screening; D017057:Medically Uninsured; D008875:Middle Aged; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents