Patient outcome following selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor prescribing in primary care in Wales (UK)

Objective

This study investigated prescribing patterns of two cohorts of patients treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) in primary care in Wales (UK), to better understand drivers for increased usage.

Methods

This e-cohort study included patients receiving a first READ-coded SSRI prescription in SAIL in either 2005 or 2015. Patients were followed up for 3 years from date of SSRI prescription. Influence of age and other demographic data on prescribing patterns, and details of mental health or medication reviews that took place were identified.

Results

In total 67,006 patients were included across the two cohorts; 29,534 in 2005, and 37,472 in 2015. Citalopram was the most commonly prescribed SSRI in both cohorts. A READ-coded diagnosis relating to SSRI treatment could not be identified in 24,797 patients. The percentage of patients continuing treatment for 3 years was 6.9% and 11.3% in 2005 and 2015, respectively. In total, 21,150 (72%) patients in the 2005 cohort and 23,947 (64%) in the 2015 cohort received at least one medication review during follow-up.

Conclusions

The proportion of patients continuing longer term treatment was small, whilst the number of recorded mental health and medication reviews offers some reassurance that prescribing remained appropriate.