Data detailed in 'Antidepressant and antipsychotic use and adherence among Medicaid youths: differences by race' have been presented. 'The purpose of our study is to use Medicaid data to examine the relationship between race and (a) whether youth with schizophrenia or depression diagnoses receive anti-psychotic and antidepressant prescriptions and (b) adherence to anti-psychotics and antidepressants. The analysis is based on claims files from January 1, 2000 through June 30, 2001,' researchers in the United States report (see also Mental Health).
'To assess adherence, we used the Proportion of Days Covered (PDC) measure. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the data. Black children with schizophrenia were significantly less likely to be adherent to anti-psychotics during a quarter than White children. White children with depression were significantly more likely to receive an antidepressant prescription and they were significantly more adherent during a quarter than Black children,' wrote B. Sleath and colleagues, University of North Carolina, Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research.
The researchers concluded: 'Providers should make sure to investigate both youth and caregiver concerns, fears, and barriers to using these medications and work with the families to develop strategies to improve medication use among youth.'
Sleath and colleagues published their study in Community Mental Health Journal (Antidepressant and antipsychotic use and adherence among Medicaid youths: differences by race. Community Mental Health Journal, 2010;46(3):265-72).
For additional information, contact B. Sleath, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Cecil G Sheps Center for Health Services Research, Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, Cecil G Sheps Center for Health Services Research, CB # 7590, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7590 USA.
Publisher contact information for the Community Mental Health Journal is: Springer, 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013, USA.
Keywords: City:Chapel Hill, State:NC, Country:United States, Health Policy, Medicaid, Mental Health, Psychiatry, Schizophrenia.
This article was prepared by Managed Care Weekly Digest editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2010, Managed Care Weekly Digest via NewsRx.com.
