Treatment of Patients with Major Depressive Disorder and Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors: An Electronic Health Record Database Study
Authors: Neslusan Cheryl , Chen Yen-Wen , Sharma Mohit , Voelker Jennifer 
Published: May 2021

Study Objective

The population of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and suicidal ideation (SI) or behaviors/attempts (SA) is not well characterized. Electronic health records (EHR) may contain useful data elements that are unavailable in other routinely used population-level databases like insurance claims. For example, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 is a disease severity metric in this population which may influence treatment choices and hence, outcomes. This study sought to describe the treatments, depression severity, and health resource utilization among this population prior to, during, and following a suicide-related event.

Methods

Adult patients enrolled in an integrated delivery network with a diagnosis code indicating MDD and without a diagnosis for bipolar or related disorders, dementia, intellectual disability, schizophrenia or other non-mood psychotic disorders between 10/31/2015 and 9/30/2019 were selected from the Optum de-identified EHR database. Only patients with a diagnosis code for SI or probable SA (SI/SA) between 10/31/2016 and 9/3/2019 and healthcare activity ≥12 months prior to their 1st observed SI/SA diagnosis were included. MDD-related treatments and PHQ-9 scores (obtained from physician notes using natural language processing) were described during 3 periods: the 1st SI/SA health care encounter (index period), 12 months before (pre-period), and 6 months after (follow-up period). For those with multiple PHQ-9 scores during a period, the latest one was used. All-cause and MDD-related healthcare utilization were assessed during follow-up period.

Results

A total of 71,161 patients with MDD and SI/SA were included in the analysis; mean (SD) age was 39 years (16 years); 55% were female. Antidepressants were prescribed for 31.3% during the pre-period and 41.2% during the index period. The use of psychotherapy was 9.5% during the pre-period and 18.7% during the index period. In the subgroup with data at 6 months (N=40,261), 43.4% and 20.5% received an antidepressant prescription and psychotherapy, respectively. During follow-up, the percent with ≥1 all-cause (MDD-related) hospitalization, observation stay and ED visit were: 11.8% (7.0%), 5.0% (2.1%), and 33.1% (11.1%). More than half (61.0) had ≥1 outpatient visit, and about 1/3 (33.4%) had ≥1 MDD-related outpatient visit. Very few patients had PHQ-9 scores recorded: pre-period 4.4% (mean [SD] 13.0 [7.5]); index period 1.3% (mean [SD] 17.0 [7.2]); and follow-up period 7.6% (mean [SD] 12.1 [7.5]).

Conclusions

This study documents a high level of health care resource utilization among those with MDD and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Only a small proportion had documented PHQ-9 scores. Given that sizable proportions did not receive any antidepressant therapy or psychotherapy, even after suicidality was noted in their medical record, continued efforts in screening and treatment intensification are warranted for this vulnerable population.

Funding

Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC