WHICH PATIENTS RECEIVE ANTIDEPRESSANTS - A REAL-WORLD TELEPHONE STUDY

Introduction: The use of antidepressants has been questioned with resp ect to both undertreatment and inadequate prescription. The present in vestigation was therefore launched to assess the psychopathology profi les of antidepressant users. Methods: A representative sample was cons tituted on the basis of usual antidepressant consumption, and ICD 10 c ompatible diagnoses were obtained after telephone administration of a structured psychiatric interview. Results: The most often used drugs w ere fluoxetine, followed by tricyclic antidepressants. Coprescription existed in slightly less than two thirds of antidepressant users. ICD 10 diagnoses were compared to currently available prescription guideli nes. Fluoxetine prescription, as compared to other drugs, was found to be significantly more compliant with these guidelines; conversely, in 22% of antidepressant users, no complete ICD 10 diagnosis could be do cumented. These results are discussed in the light of report accuracy and anecdotal or 'heterodox' indications of antidepressants. Conclusio n: Altogether, the present study confirms previous doubts regarding ap propriate use of antidepressants and stresses the need for more explic it and comprehensive clinical guidelines. It does not substantiate, ho wever, any evidence for a 'recreational' use of these products. (C) 19 98 Elsevier Science B.V.