scholarly journals Trends in treatment for patients with depression in general practice in Norway, 2009–2015: nationwide registry-based cohort study (The Norwegian GP-DEP Study)

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabine Ruths ◽  
Inger Haukenes ◽  
Øystein Hetlevik ◽  
Tone Smith-Sivertsen ◽  
Stefan Hjørleifsson ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Depression is highly prevalent, but knowledge is scarce as to whether increased public awareness and strengthened government focus on mental health have changed how general practitioners (GPs) help their depressed patients. This study aimed to examine national time trends in GP depression care and whether trends varied regarding patient gender, age, and comorbidity. Methods Nationwide registry-based cohort study, Norway. The study population comprised all residents aged 20 years or older with new depression diagnoses recorded in general practice, 2009–2015. We linked reimbursement claims data from all consultations in general practice for depression with information on demographics and antidepressant medication. The outcome was type(s) of GP depression care during 12 months from the date of diagnosis: (long) consultation, talking therapy, antidepressant drug treatment, sickness absence certification, and referral to secondary mental health care. Covariates were patient gender, age, and comorbidity. The data are presented as frequencies and tested with generalized linear models. Results We included 365,947 new depression diagnoses. Mean patient age was 44 years (SD = 16), 61.9 % were women, 41.2 % had comorbidity. From 2009 to 2015, proportions of patients receiving talking therapy (42.3–63.4 %), long consultations (56.4–71.8 %), and referral to secondary care (16.6–21.6 %) increased, while those receiving drug treatment (31.3–25.9 %) and sick-listing (58.1–50 %) decreased. The trends were different for gender (women had a greater increase in talking therapy and a smaller decrease in sick-listing, compared to men), age (working-aged patients had a smaller increase in talking therapy, a greater increase in long consultations, and a smaller decrease in antidepressant drug use, compared to older patients) and comorbidity (patients with mental comorbidity had a smaller increase in talking therapy and a greater increase in long consultations, compared to those with no comorbidity and somatic comorbidity). Conclusions The observed time trends in GP depression care towards increased provision of psychological treatment and less drug treatment and sick-listing were in the desired direction according to Norwegian health care policy. However, the large and persistent differences in treatment rates between working-aged and older patients needs further investigation.

Geriatrics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 46
Author(s):  
Tina Hansen ◽  
Rikke Lundsgaard Nielsen ◽  
Morten Baltzer Houlind ◽  
Juliette Tavenier ◽  
Line Jee Hartmann Rasmussen ◽  
...  

There is evolving evidence for an association between dysphagia and sarcopenia in older adults. For optimizing the acute health care initiative across health care settings, this study investigated prevalence and time-course of dysphagia in older patients admitted to an emergency department (ED) as well as its association with parameters for probable sarcopenia, inactivity, malnutrition, disease status, and systemic inflammation. A secondary analysis of data from the FAM-CPH cohort study on acutely admitted older medical patients (n = 125). Data were collected upon ED admission as well as four and 56 weeks after discharge. Using the Eating Assessment Tool cut-off score ≥ 2, signs of dysphagia were present in 34% of the patients at ED admission and persisted in 25% of the patients 56 weeks after discharge. Signs of dysphagia at 56-week follow-up were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with probable sarcopenia (low handgrip strength (OR = 3.79), low leg muscle strength (OR = 8.14), and low physical performance (OR = 5.68)) and with baseline swallowing inactivity (OR = 5.61), malnutrition (OR = 4.35), and systemic inflammation (OR = 1.33). Signs of dysphagia in older patients admitted to an ED was prevalent, persisted 56 weeks after discharge, and was associated with probable sarcopenia and related conditions; all modifiable targets for management of dysphagia in older patients.


Author(s):  
Corinna C. Klein ◽  
B. Erika Luis Sanchez ◽  
Miya L. Barnett

AbstractProgress measures are an evidence-based technique for improving the quality of mental health care, however, clinicians rarely incorporate them into treatment. Research into how measure type impacts clinician preference has been recommended to help improve measure implementation. Parent–Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an assessment-driven treatment that serves as an ideal intervention through which to investigate measure preferences given its routine use of two types of assessments, a behavioral observation (the Dyadic Parent–Child Interaction Coding System) and a parent-report measure (the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory). This study investigated PCIT therapist attitudes towards progress measures used within PCIT and children’s mental health treatment generally. A mixed-method (QUAN + QUAL) study design examined PCIT therapist attitudes towards two types of progress measures and measures used in two contexts (PCIT and general practice). Multi-level modeling of a survey distributed to 324 PCIT therapists identified predictors of therapist attitudes towards measures, while qualitative interviews with 23 therapists expanded and clarified the rationale for differing perceptions. PCIT therapists reported more positive attitudes towards a behavioral observation measure, the DPICS, than a parent-report measure, the ECBI, and towards measures used in PCIT than in general practice. Clinician race/ethnicity was significantly related to measure-specific attitudes. Qualitative interviews highlighted how perceptions of measure reliability, type of data offered, ease of use, utility in guiding sessions and motivating clients, and embeddedness in treatment protocol impact therapist preferences. Efforts to implement progress monitoring should consider preferences for particular types of measures, as well as how therapists are trained to embed measures in treatment.


BMJ ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 313 (7066) ◽  
pp. 1215-1215
Author(s):  
T. Kendrick

Author(s):  
Marta Estrela ◽  
Maria Teresa Herdeiro ◽  
Pedro Lopes Ferreira ◽  
Fátima Roque

(1) Background: Mental disorders are a growing concern in the 21st century. The most prevalent common mental disorders include depression and anxiety. It is predicted that half of the population will at some point in their lives experience one or more mental disorders. Although common mental disorders are highly prevalent, some of the most significant related problems are the wide treatment gap and the excessive use of antidepressants, anxiolytics and sedatives/hypnotics, especially among older patients. (2) Methods: This study aimed to analyze mental health care in Portugal, with a focus on the consumption of antidepressants, anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics among older patients. (3) Results: The use of antidepressants, anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics has increased overall across Europe. In Portugal, a downward trend of sedatives and hypnotics consumption can be observed. Anxiolytics and antidepressants, on the other hand, have been increasing. Patients aged ≥60 years old consume more than half of the aforementioned drugs. (4) Conclusions: Mental health policies should be designed to improve the conscientious use of antidepressants, anxiolytics, sedatives and hypnotics, particularly among older adults.


2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-51
Author(s):  
Aline Hurtaud ◽  
François Lallier ◽  
Matthieu Heidet ◽  
Charline Arnoult ◽  
Moustapha Dramé ◽  
...  

Abstract Background hospital discharge is a critical event for older patients. The French guidelines recommended the swift transmission of a discharge summary to the general practitioner (GP) and a primary care consultation within 7 days. The relevance and feasibility of these guidelines have not previously been assessed. Objective to perform a real-life assessment of compliance with French guidelines on the transmission of discharge summaries and post-discharge medical reviews and to examine these factors’ association with 30-day readmissions. Design a prospective multicentre cohort study. Setting primary care (general practice) in France. Subjects a sample of GPs and the same number of patients aged 75 or over having consulted within 30 days of hospital discharge. Methods the main endpoints were the proportion of discharge summaries available and the proportion of patients consulting their GP within 7 days. The 30-day readmission rate was also measured. Factors associated with these endpoints were assessed in univariate and multivariate analyses. Results seventy-one GPs (mean ± standard deviation age: 49 ± 11; males: 62%) and 71 patients (mean age: 84 ± 5; males: 52%; living at home: 94%; cognitive disorders: 22%) were included. Forty-six patients (65%, [95% confidence interval [CI]]: 53–76) consulted their GP within 7 days of hospital discharge. At the time of the consultation, 27 GPs (38% [95% CI]: 27–50) had not received the corresponding hospital discharge summary. Discharge summary availability was associated with a lower risk of 30-day readmission (adjusted odds ratio [95% CI] = 0.25 [0.07–0.91]). Conclusions compliance with the French guidelines on hospital-to-home transitions is insufficient.


2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (10) ◽  
pp. 701-711 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Lauzier ◽  
Hichem Kadachi ◽  
Jocelyne Moisan ◽  
Alain Vanasse ◽  
Alain Lesage ◽  
...  

Objective: To assess whether neighbourhood deprivation is associated with exposure to an antidepressant drug treatment (ADT) and its quality among individuals diagnosed with unipolar depression and insured by the Quebec public drug plan. Method: We conducted an administrative database cohort study of adults covered by the Quebec public drug plan who were diagnosed with a new episode of unipolar depression. We assessed material and social deprivation using an area-based index. We considered exposure to an ADT as having ≥1 claim for an ADT within the 365 days following depression diagnosis. Among those exposed to ADT, ADT quality was assessed with 3 indicators: first-line recommended ADT, persistence with the ADT, and compliance with the ADT. Generalized linear models were used to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results: Of 100,432 individuals with unipolar depression, 65,436 (65%) were exposed to an ADT in the year following the diagnosis. Individuals living in the most materially deprived areas were slightly more likely to be exposed to an ADT than those living in the least deprived areas (aPR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.06). The likelihoods of being exposed to a first-line ADT, persisting for the minimum recommended duration and complying with the ADT were independent of the deprivation levels. Conclusions: Neighbourhood deprivation was not associated with ADT quality among individuals insured by the Quebec public drug plan. It might be partly attributable to the public drug plan whose goal is to provide equitable access to prescription drugs regardless of income.


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