Depressive illness burden associated with complex polypharmacy in patients with bipolar disorder: findings from the STEP-BD.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Many patients with bipolar disorder receive multi-drug treatment regimens, but the distinguishing profiles of patients who receive complex pharmacologies have not been established.

Method

Prescribing patterns of lithium, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and antipsychotics were examined for 4,035 subjects with bipolar disorder (DSM-IV) immediately prior to entering the Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder (STEP-BD). Subjects were recruited for participation across 22 centers in the United States between November 1999 and July 2005. The quality receiver operating characteristic (ROC) method was used to develop composite profiles of patients receiving complex regimens (p < .01 for all iterations).

Results

Use of 3 or more medications

SUBMITTER: Goldberg JF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10034852 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature