Table 2. Treatment Utilization Patterns during Antidepressant Exposure for Episodes Receiving an Antidepressant within 30 Days of Depression Diagnosis
EHREHR + FulfillmentEHR + Fulfillment + PHQ-9
Episodes, n81,02846,131284
Episodes receiving an AD within 30 days, n17,385 (21.46)996 (2.16)23 (8.10)
AD Utilization
    AD used to treat episode
        SSRI12,697 (73.03)750 (75.30)17 (73.91)
        SNRI2146 (12.34)111 (11.14)4 (17.39)
        TCA393 (2.26)29 (2.91)0 (0.00)
        Buproprion1581 (9.09)52 (5.22)0 (0.00)
        MAOI5 (0.03)0 (0.00)0 (0.00)
        PP316 (1.82)16 (1.61)1 (4.35)
        Tetracyclics247 (1.42)38 (3.82)1 (4.35)
    Days to first AD Rx
        Mean1.146.987.61
        Median0.002.000.00
    Persistence*
        Mean37.87158.67150.04
        Median30.0091.0090.00
    Adherence
        Mean1.261.000.95
        Median1.001.001.00
Other psychotropic medications prescribed
    Anxiolytics2243 (12.90)290 (29.12)4 (17.39)
    Antipsychotics1806 (10.39)77 (7.73)4 (17.39)
    Stimulants456 (2.62)11 (1.10)0 (0.00)
    Narcotic analgesics311 (1.79)40 (4.02)0 (0.00)
  • Data provided as n (%) unless otherwise indicated.

  • * Persistence: days between first and last prescription.

  • Adherence: medication possession ratio.

  • AD, antidepressant; EHR, electronic health record; MAOI, monoamine oxidase inhibitor; PHQ-9, 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire; PP, phenylpiperazine antidepressant; Rx, prescription; SNRI, serotonin-noradrenergic reuptake inhibitor; SSRI, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor; TCA, tricyclic antidepressant.