Persistence with Newly Initiated Antidepressant Medication in Rhode Island Medicaid: Analysis and Insights for...

To describe persistence to newly prescribed antidepressant medications within the Rhode Island Medicaid population.

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.

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).

Antidepressant treatment persistence within the R.I. Medicaid population is suboptimal, and lowest among patients lacking follow-up care.