Utilization of psychopharmacological treatment among patients with newly diagnosed bipolar disorder from 2001 to 2010
Journal
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology
Journal Volume
36
Journal Issue
1
Pages
32-44
Date Issued
2016
Author(s)
Abstract
Objective: The aim of the study was to examine utilization and patterns of psychopharmacological treatment during a 1-year follow-up period among patients with newly diagnosed bipolar disorder from 2001 to 2010. Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed bipolar disorder from 2001 to 2010 were identified from the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. We assessed prescription records related to 4 kinds of psychopharmacological medication, including antipsychotics (APs), antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and benzodiazepines, as well as health care utilization in a 1-year follow-up period among the study subjects. In addition, logistic regressions were applied to test the trends for utilization of psychopharmacological treatment during the 10-year study period. Results: A total of 2703 patients newly diagnosed with bipolar disorder were enrolled. The ratio of good adherence, defined as medications possession ratio greater than 0.8, for use of the examined psychopharmacological medication was relatively low during the study period. The use of first-generation APs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, lithium, carbamazepine, and benzodiazepines has declined; however, the use of second-generation APs, serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, lamotrigine, and valproate has risen markedly during the 10-year period. Conclusions: This study presents patterns of pharmacological treatment in patients with newly diagnosed bipolar disorder in Taiwan for a 10-year study period. It would be of importance to further investigate causes and outcomes for polytherapy and nonadherence to psychotropic medications among patients with bipolar disorder. ? 2015 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
Subjects
Antidepressants; Antipsychotics; Benzodiazepines; Bipolar disorder; Mood stabilizers
SDGs
Other Subjects
antidepressant agent; anxiolytic agent; benzodiazepine derivative; brotizolam; carbamazepine; clobazam; clonazepam; cloxazolam; estazolam; fludiazepam; flurazepam; lamotrigine; lithium; lorazepam; lormetazepam; midazolam; mood stabilizer; neuroleptic agent; nitrazepam; nordazepam; oxazepam; oxazolam; psychotropic agent; serotonin noradrenalin reuptake inhibitor; serotonin uptake inhibitor; temazepam; triazolam; tricyclic antidepressant agent; unindexed drug; valproic acid; antidepressant agent; benzodiazepine derivative; neuroleptic agent; psychotropic agent; tranquilizer; adult; Article; bipolar disorder; drug utilization; female; follow up; health care utilization; human; major clinical study; male; medication compliance; prescription; priority journal; psychopharmacology; adolescent; bipolar disorder; factual database; middle aged; statistical model; Taiwan; young adult; Adolescent; Adult; Antidepressive Agents; Antimanic Agents; Antipsychotic Agents; Benzodiazepines; Bipolar Disorder; Databases, Factual; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Medication Adherence; Middle Aged; Psychotropic Drugs; Taiwan; Young Adult
Type
journal article