The low level of understanding of depression among patients treated with antidepressants: a survey of 424 outpatients in Japan

Abstract

BackgroundWe used self-administered questionnaires to investigate the level of understanding of depression among outpatients who were administered antidepressants.MethodsA total of 424 outpatients were enrolled in this study. We used an original self-administered questionnaire that consisted of eight categories: (A) depressive symptoms, (B) the course of depression, (C) the cause of depression, (D) the treatment plan, (E) the duration of taking antidepressants, (F) how to discontinue antidepressants, (G) the side effects of the antidepressants, and (H) psychotherapy. Each category consisted of the following two questions: “Have you received an explanation from the doctor in charge?” and “How much do you understand about it?” The level of understanding was rated on a scale of 0–10 (11 anchor points). The Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology Japanese version, Global Assessment of Functioning, and Clinical Global Impression – Severity scale were administered, and clinical characteristics were investigated.ResultsThe percentages of participants who received explanations were as follows: 61.8% for (A), 49.2% for (B), 50.8% for (C), 57.2% for (D), 46.3% for (E), 28.5% for (F), 50.6% for (G), and 36.1% for (H). The level of understanding in participants who received explanations from their physicians was significantly higher compared with patients who did not receive explanations for all evaluated categories. Patient age, age at disease onset, and Global Assessment of Functioning scores were significantly associated with more items compared with the other variables.ConclusionPsychoeducation is not sufficiently performed. According to the study results, it is possible for patients to receive better psychoeducation and improve their clinical outcomes.

The characteristics of understanding of depression among older patients treated with antidepressants: a comparison between older and younger patients

“…Because the actual rate of administration of psychoeducation for patients with depression and the level of understanding of depression among patients with depression had not been deeply examined, we previously surveyed the understanding of depression of outpatients who had experienced or were experiencing a depressive episode and who had taken or were taking antidepressants. 22 Low levels of understanding of depression by patients were revealed in our previous study, and the secondary results of the study showed the understanding of depression, which was evaluated using several questionnaires, was significantly associated with the severity of depression. 23 …”

<p>Sex Differences In Psychoeducation For Patients With Depression: A Comparison Of Frequency And Efficacy Of Psychoeducation</p>

“…In the present study, we reanalyzed data from a previous study22,23 to investigate the difference between male and female patients in terms of depression comprehension and showed the effect of psychoeducation. Compared with male patients, female patients with depression showed lower levels of depression comprehension and did not receive adequate psychoeducation from their physicians in the typical treatment course.…”

“…Thus, psychoeducation is important for patients with depression, and there are sex differences in depression. Because the prevalence of psychoeducation and level of depression comprehension among patients had not been examined in detail, we evaluated depression comprehension in patients with depressive episodes or with experience of depressive episodes as well as in those who had taken or were taking antidepressants in a previous study 22. We found low levels of depression comprehension among patients, and several questionnaires that evaluated depression comprehension were found to be significantly associated with the severity of depression in the secondary results 22,23…”

“…We have previously studied the comprehension and characteristics of patients with depression,22,23 but we did not analyze sex differences between male and female patients. In the present study, we reanalyzed data from our previous study and investigated sex differences in depression comprehension and their relationship to treatment response.…”

Timing of psychoeducation for patients with depression who were treated with antidepressants: when should patients receive psychoeducation

“…Accordingly, in a previous study, we assessed the understanding of depression among outpatients who had experienced or were experiencing a depressive episode and who had taken or were taking antidepressants. 11 In that study, Kudo et al found low levels of understanding of depression among patients, and in a secondary analysis, several questionnaires that evaluated patients’ understanding of depression were significantly associated with the severity of depression (Tomita et al, accepted).…”