TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2017//
TI  - Racial-ethnic differences in off-label antidepressant use, by insurance type
JO  - Psychiatric services
A1  - Lim, Dooyoung
A1  - Jung, Jeah
SP  - 1271
EP  - 1279
VL  - 68
IS  - 12
N2  - OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine whether and to what extent racial-ethnic differences exist in off-label use of antidepressant drugs by insurance type (Medicare, Medicaid, private coverage, and uninsured). <br><br>METHODS: Multiyear data (2000-2010) from Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys were used. Logistic and negative binomial regressions were used for the likelihood and frequency analyses, respectively. <br><br>RESULTS: The likelihood of filling prescriptions for off-label use of antidepressants was greater among blacks than among whites in all insurance groups (Medicare [N=6,470], adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=1.68; Medicaid [N=3,076], AOR=1.76; private coverage [N=9,918], AOR=2.10; and uninsured [N=1,826], AOR=1.88). Only in the uninsured group were Hispanics more likely than whites to use antidepressants off label (AOR=1.58). Among off-label antidepressant users, blacks and Hispanics with private coverage filled significantly fewer off-label antidepressant prescriptions than whites (blacks, incidence rate ratio [IRR]=.81; Hispanics, IRR=.88). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Off-label use of antidepressants was more likely among blacks than among whites in all insurance groups; however, once whites initiated off-label use of antidepressants, they tended to fill off-label antidepressant prescriptions more frequently than blacks or Hispanics. Because off-label use may be inappropriate, clinical and policy efforts should aim to reduce off-label antidepressant use, with particular attention to racial-ethnic differences.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1075-2730
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201600445
ID  - ref1
ER  -