Compliance with antidepressant medication among prison inmates with depressive disorders

This study assessed correlates of antidepressant medication compliance amon g 5,305 inmates of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison system w ho were diagnosed as having a depressive disorder. Use of tricyclic antidep ressants, male gender, and higher age were all positively associated with m edication compliance scores. This investigation provided no evidence that b roader use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors would improve adheren ce to pharmacologic treatment in this population. The results also suggest that correctional administrators may wish to target younger inmates and wom en with interventions to improve medication compliance.