Abstract
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. 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. 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.
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Acknowledgments
This study was funded by the Changes in Health Care Financing & Organization Initiative at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Academy Health. Additional support was received by Dr. Domino from NIMH 5K01MH65639.
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Sleath, B., Domino, M.E., Wiley-Exley, E. et al. Antidepressant and Antipsychotic Use and Adherence Among Medicaid Youths: Differences by Race. Community Ment Health J 46, 265–272 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-009-9277-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-009-9277-5