Adherence to Antidepressant Therapies in Patients with Depressive Disorders Attending an Outpatient Clinic in a Public Mental Health Hospital, Antioquia, Colombia in 2017.

To evaluate the level of adherence to antidepressant therapies and associated factors in patients with depressive disorders. a cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in patients diagnosed with depressive disorders. The sample was for convenience, and a survey including sociodemographic, clinical, and therapeutic variables was designed. The Morisky-Green test, Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire, and Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire were also used, all of which have been validated for assessing adherence in patients with depression. The qualitative variables were evaluated with absolute and relative frequencies, and a bivariate analysis was performed. This study included 54 patients with an average age of 49.5 ± 13.7 years, and 83.3% were women. All patients were diagnosed with major depression, and 9.25% also had an anxiety disorder. According to the Morisky-Green test, only 37% of patients were compliant with the drug therapy, although this was not statistically significant. Women were less compliant than men (33.3% versus 55.6%; p = 0.21). The beliefs that patients have regarding medication do not have a great impact on adherence to antidepressant therapy. However, it was evidenced that adherent patients had less doubts about the medication administered in comparison to non-adherent patients.

Promoción farmacéutica y factores tenidos en cuenta para la prescripción médica. Medellín, Colombia, 2011 / Factors taken into account for the prescription and pharmaceutical promotion. Medellín, Colombia, 2011

RESUMEN Estudio observacional descriptivo transversal realizado en 2011 en una muestra por conveniencia de 128 médicos generales y especialistas de la ciudad de Medellín (Colombia). Se utilizó para la toma de información una encuesta anónima, autodiligenciada que contenía información sociodemográfica, mejores estrategias publicitarias empleadas por la industria farmacéutica, criterios considerados para la prescripción médica y fuente de información habitualmente consultada. Los resultados mostraron que los hombres representaron el 57% de los participantes, el promedio de edad fue de 35±11 años y dos de cada cinco eran médicos generales. Los médicos consideraron como mejores estrategias de promoción farmacéutica las invitaciones a congresos (86%) y las muestras promocionales (77%). En promedio se recibía una visita mensual del visitador médico, y la asistencia a eventos patrocinados por la industria farmacéutica fue del 61% en el último año. Tan sólo el 3% de los participantes manifiesta tener en cuenta la recomendación de un visitador al momento de prescribir, prefiriendo la experiencia con el fármaco (92%), los estudios de efectividad (91%) y la inclusión en los protocolos clínicos (69%). Este estudio concluye que a pesar del uso de algunas estrategias promocionales por la industria farmacéutica, su influencia no es un factor determinante en los hábitos de prescripción médica, ya que son considerados otros criterios.

SUMMARY Cross-sectional study carried out in 2011 in a sample by convenience of 128 general practitioners and specialists from the city of Medellín (Colombia). A self-reported anonymous survey was made containing information sociodemographic, best advertising strategies employed by the pharmaceutical industry, criteria for medical prescription and usually consulted information source. The results showed that 57% of the participants were men, the median age was 35±11 years and two of every five were general practitioners. Best strategies of promotion pharmaceutical considered by practitioners were: invitations to congresses (86%) and promotion of samples (77%). On average, each practitioner received a monthly visit by visitor medical, and attendance at events sponsored by the pharmaceutical industry was 61% in the last year. Only 3% of participants take into account the recommendation of a visitor to prescribe, preferring the experience with the drug (92%), studies of effectiveness (91%) and inclusion in the clinical protocols (69%). The conclusion of this study is that despite the use of some promotional strategies for the pharmaceutical industry, its influence is not a determinant in prescription habits that are considered to be other criteria.