Term: Antidepressant Prescription Follow-Up

Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2020-05-19

Definition:

The percent of residents (all ages) with a diagnosis of depression (ICD–9–CM codes 296 or 311) and a new (within 2 weeks of diagnosis) dispensation of antidepressants (ATC class N06A) who had at least three family physician or nurse practitioner visits within four months of the prescription being filled. For comparison, the crude percent was calculated for two five-year periods.

Regular monitoring of persons prescribed antidepressants after the initial diagnosis of depression is essential to track that patients' response to the medication and modify treatment if necessary. Often antidepressant medications do not begin to have a clinical effect for some time after initiating therapy. As well, persons diagnosed with a major depression may be at risk of suicide, which makes follow-up a critical part of treatment for depression.

Note: to be included in the analysis, patients had to be alive for the entire follow-up period. To be included as a newly depressed patient, residents could not have a prescription for antidepressants or a physician visit with a diagnosis of depression in the two years prior to the index event.

For more information please see:

• section 6.1 Antidepressant Prescription Follow-Up in The 2019 RHA Indicators Atlas

Related concepts 

• Depression - Defining in Administrative Data
• Health Indicators: Indicators of Health Status and Healthcare Use

Related terms 

• Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) Drug Classification System
• Antidepressant Use / Antidepressant Prescriptions
• Antidepressants

References 

• Fransoo R, Martens P, The Need to Know Team, Burland E, Prior H, Burchill C, Chateau D, Walld R. Sex Differences in Health Status, Health Care Use, and Quality of Care: A Population-Based Analysis for Manitoba's Regional Health Authorities. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2005. [Report] [Summary] [Additional Materials] (View)
• Fransoo R, Mahar A, The Need to Know Team, Anderson A, Prior H, Koseva I, McCulloch S, Jarmasz J, Burchill S. The 2019 RHA Indicators Atlas. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2019. [Report] [Summary] [Updates and Errata] [Additional Materials] (View)
• Martens PJ, Bartlett J, Burland E, Prior H, Burchill C, Huq S, Romphf L, Sanguins J, Carter S, Bailly A. Profile of Metis Health Status and Healthcare Utilization in Manitoba: A Population-Based Study. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2010. [Report] [Summary] [Updates and Errata] [Additional Materials] (View)

Term used in 

• Chartier M, Finlayson G, Prior H, McGowan K, Chen H, de Rocquigny J, Walld R, Gousseau M. Health and Healthcare Utilization of Francophones in Manitoba. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2012. [Report] [Summary] (View)
• Fransoo R, Martens P, Burland E, The Need to Know Team, Prior H, Burchill C. Manitoba RHA Indicators Atlas 2009. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2009. [Report] [Summary] [Additional Materials] (View)
• Fransoo R, Martens P, The Need to Know Team, Prior H, Burchill C, Koseva I, Bailly A, Allegro E. The 2013 RHA Indicators Atlas. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2013. [Report] [Summary] [Additional Materials] (View)