Adherence to COPD, Depression Treatment Lowers Hospitalization Risk

Treating depression in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) improves the risk of future adverse events and hospitalization, according to a recent study.

The retrospective cohort study included 16,075 Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with both COPD and depression who filled 2 or more prescriptions for COPD maintenance medications and antidepressants from 2006 to 2012. Using the proportion of days covered per 30-day period, the researchers measured adherence to medication over a minimum of 12-months of follow-up. All-cause emergency department visits and hospitalizations were assessed as the primary outcomes.

Overall, 21% of the beneficiaries (about 1 in 5 patients) included in the analysis achieved adherence of 80% or greater to COPD maintenance medications, and 55% of the beneficiaries (about 1 in 2 patients) achieved adherence of 80% or greater to antidepressants.

Compared with patients with lower levels of adherence to COPD maintenance medications, patients with higher levels of adherence (80% or more) had a lower risk for hospitalization or emergency department visits after adjustments were made for antidepressant adherence and other potential factors.

In addition, patients with higher levels of adherence to antidepressants had a decreased risk of emergency department visits and hospitalization compared with patients who did not take antidepressants.

“Clinicians can assist in the improved management of their multimorbid patients' health by treating depression among patients with COPD and monitoring and encouraging adherence to the regimens they prescribe,” the researchers concluded.

—Melissa Weiss

Reference:

Albrecht JS, Khokhar B, Huang TY, et al. Adherence and healthcare utilization among older adults with COPD and depression [published online ahead of print June 3, 2017]. Respir Med. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rmed.2017.06.002