Abstract 309: Outcomes of Depressed Patients With and Without Antidepressant Prescription
Background: Many studies have shown a relationship between depression and an increased risk of rehospitalization, suggesting assessment and management, potentially including antidepressants, should remain an important part of inpatient treatment. However, studies analyzing the outcomes associated with antidepressant use among cardiac patients have shown mixed results. This study aims to describe the long-term outcomes (ED visits, readmissions, and death) of a cohort of cardiac patients with concomitant depression treated with antidepressants. Methods: A total of 151 patients with a medical history of depression were randomly selected between 2008-2017 from a cardiac transitional care clinic registry. A retrospective chart review was conducted to determine the frequency of antidepressant prescription at discharge following a cardiac hospital admission. Demographics and outcomes were compared between those prescribed and those not prescribed antidepressants at discharge. Results: Of 4,298 patients, 1,067 (24.8%) had a diagnosis of depression recorded in their medical record. Of the 151 randomly selected depression patients, 106 (70.2%) were on at least one antidepressant at discharge. Significantly more females were prescribed antidepressants at discharge than males (78.0% v. 58.3%, p=0.010). No significant differences were seen in race, socioeconomic status, or outcomes at 30, 60, 90, or 180 days post-discharge between those prescribed and those not prescribed antidepressants at discharge. However, when compared to patients without depression (n=3,231), those on at least one antidepressant had significantly more 30-day ED visits (25.5% vs 17%, p=0.026), 180-day ED visits (52.9% vs 38.1%, p=0.002), and 180-day readmissions (55.8% vs 40.1%, p=0.001). Conclusions: Patients with depression had worse outcomes than those without depression, despite the majority (70.2%) being treated with antidepressants. These results suggest efforts should be made post-discharge to closely monitor patients with depression, even if they are prescribed antidepressants, and additional treatment modalities should be researched.