Depression Treatment Initiation Among Patients With Versus Without Chronic Pain.
Owen-Smith AA, McDonald B, Sesay MM, Simon GE, McCracken CE
This study examined how chronic noncancer pain (CNCP) impacts the initiation of depression treatment. We performed a retrospective cohort study of KPGA adult members who received a diagnosis of depression and classified them by the presence or absence of comorbid CNCP. Outcomes included fulfillment of a new antidepressant medication and a follow-up mental health encounter. Over 27% of the 22,996 members meeting the inclusion criteria had a diagnosis of CNCP. Results demonstrated that there was no difference in time to a new antidepressant fill among members with and without CNCP. Members with CNCP were less likely to have a follow-up mental health encounter.