The relationship between antipsychotic medication adherence and patient outcomes among individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder: a retrospective study
2009

Antipsychotic Medication Adherence and Patient Outcomes in Bipolar Disorder

Sample size: 7769 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Lage Maureen J, Hassan Mariam K

Primary Institution: Health Metrics Outcomes Research, Groton, CT, USA

Hypothesis

Does increasing adherence to antipsychotic medications reduce the risk of hospitalizations and emergency room visits among patients with bipolar disorder?

Conclusion

Higher adherence to antipsychotic medications is associated with a lower risk of hospitalizations and emergency room visits in patients with bipolar disorder.

Supporting Evidence

  • 61.7% of individuals had an MPR < 0.50.
  • 78.7% had an MPR < 0.75.
  • An MPR ≥ 0.75 was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of hospitalization.
  • An MPR ≥ 0.80 was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of mental health-related hospitalization.
  • An MPR ≥ 0.90 was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of mental health-related ER visits.

Takeaway

If people with bipolar disorder take their medicine more often, they are less likely to go to the hospital or the emergency room.

Methodology

This retrospective cohort study analyzed claims data from patients with bipolar disorder who received antipsychotic prescriptions, measuring adherence through the medication possession ratio over a 12-month follow-up.

Potential Biases

The use of diagnostic codes may be less rigorous than formal assessments, potentially leading to misclassification.

Limitations

The study used an administrative claims database, which may not generalize to all populations, and did not control for disease severity or include patient assessments.

Participant Demographics

{"mean_age":39.71,"sex_distribution":{"female":64.17,"male":35.83},"insurance_type":{"commercial":94.4,"other":5.6},"bipolar_type":{"depressed":17.53,"manic":11.88,"mixed":18.33,"other":52.26}}

Statistical Information

Confidence Interval

{"hospitalization":"0.75 to 0.98","ER_visit":"0.74 to 0.96"}

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1744-859X-8-7

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