ID-5184 Wonca Abstracts supplement A-K 13-10-23 - Flipbook - Page 151
WONCA 2023 Supplement 1: WONCA 2023 abstracts (A–K)
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General practice patients’ self-reported reasons for ceasing
antidepressant treatment for depression
Ms Amy Coe, Dr Catherine Kaylor-Hughes, Prof Jane Gunn
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The University of Melbourne
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Background
Antidepressants are the first-line depression treatment with 86% being prescribed in general practice.
Long-term use of antidepressants is growing, with research suggesting that between 30% and 50% of
patients continue their treatment with no clinical reason to do so. Ceasing antidepressants is complex
and requires professional guidance to guard against an increased risk of relapse. This study aimed
to report on the self-reported reasons general practice patients have for ceasing their antidepressant
medications. It also sought to determine if patients cease with help from a healthcare professional.
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Methods
The 10-year diamond longitudinal study was a prospective cohort study of 789 Australian general
practice patients with depressive symptoms. Qualitative responses to the question ‘What made you
stop taking [your antidepressant medication]?’ were collected as part of computer-assisted telephone
interviews at 10 time points (from 2005 to 2015).
Results
In all, 304 participants reported taking antidepressants at any time over the 10 years of the study;
62% (n = 189) reported stopping their antidepressants. Reasons for stopping were thematically
analysed and categorised under five overarching themes: (1) feeling well; (2) psychosocial factors;
(3) medically informed; (4) impacts on health; and (5) miscellaneous. The most commonly reported
reason was feeling well enough to stop. In a quarter of instances, a healthcare professional was
involved in the decision to cease.
Conclusion
Antidepressant cessation is complex and requires clinical advice to decrease the risk of relapse,
but many patients report stopping without clinical advice. It is important for systematic and supportive
antidepressant deprescribing processes to be put into clinical practice.
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