Anti-Depressant Prescribing Patterns Among Prison Inmates with Depressive Disorders

摘要

Although prison inmates are reported to exhibit elevated rates of depressive disorders, little is known about anti-depressant prescribing patterns in correctional institutions. The study population consisted of 5,305 Texas Department of Criminal Justice inmates who were diagnosed with one of three depressive disorders: major depression, dysthymia, and bipolar disorder (excluding those with manic episodes only). Information on medical conditions, sociodemographic factors, and pharmacotherapy was obtained fiom an institution-wide medical information system. Over 50 percent of all inmates diagnosed depression disorders were treated with tricyclic anti-depressants$ approximately 3.1 percent were treated with selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRI)$ and over 20 percent were not treated with any form of antidepressant medication. Prescribing patterns varied substantially according to a number of sociodemographic factors under study. Limitations: Because the present study relied on retrospective, clinical data, the investigators had limited ability to assess: specific symptomatology for each diagnosed depressive condition under study$ socio-economic status, pre-incarceration access to health care, and other factors$ and the overall reliability and validity of the data. Describing anti-depressant prescribing patterns is the first step to developing a better understanding of the current mental health care practices in US prisons. Such information will assist correctional health care administrators in more efficiently allocating scarce resources to meet the needs of inmates with depressive disorders.