Suboptimal antidepressant use among inpatients and outpatients with symptoms of depression: a cross-sectional analysis of the POKAL core data set

Brisnik, Vita; Schechner, Miriam; Landmesser, P.; Schillok, H.; Schoenweger, Petra; Rottenkolber, M.; Lindemann, Daniela; Lukaschek, Karoline; Jung-Sievers, Caroline ; Falkai, Peter ; Henningsen, P.; Pitschel-Walz, G.; Krcmar, H.; Schneider, A.; Haass, C. ; Gökce, F.; Eder, Julia ; Pfeiffer, L.; Schrottenberg, V. von; Teusen, Clara; Bühner, Markus ; Gensichen, Jochen und Dreischulte, Tobias (2026): Suboptimal antidepressant use among inpatients and outpatients with symptoms of depression: a cross-sectional analysis of the POKAL core data set. In: European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, Vol. 276: pp. 683-689

Abstract

We present a cross-sectional analysis of 1391 outpatients and 280 inpatients participating in subprojects of the Research Training Group POKAL, of whom 1609 had a PHQ-9 score ≥ 5 and 62 reported depression with antidepressant use. Antidepressant use was lower among outpatients than inpatients (28.5% vs. 82.5%), with higher levels of SSRI monotherapy (44.1% vs. 25.5%). Of antidepressant users, 80.1% had potentially inadequate treatment response, 21.7% high-risk use and of those with severe symptoms, 42.1% were potentially undertreated. Key risk factors were higher anxiety levels (for inadequate treatment response) and polypharmacy (for high-risk use), while previous depressive episode was protective against potential undertreatment.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Medicine > Medical Center of the University of Munich > Medical Clinic and Outpatient Clinic IV (Endocrinology, nephrology, other sections); Medicine > Medical Center of the University of Munich > Clinic and Polyclinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
• Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medicine and health
• ISSN: 0940-1334
• Annotation: Published online: 12 March 2025
• Language: English