Article Document Academic Article Information Content Entity Continuant Continuant Journal Article Entity Entity Generically Dependent Continuant 2025-05-07T17:38:02 RDF description of Geriatric depression, antidepressant treatment, and healthcare utilization in a health maintenance organization - http://repository.healthpartners.com/individual/document-rn18440 document-rn18440 Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 50 Aged Health Maintenance Organizations/*economics/statistics & numerical data Antidepressive Agents/*economics/therapeutic use 14902 Geriatric depression, antidepressant treatment, and healthcare utilization in a health maintenance organization Longitudinal Studies <p>OBJECTIVES: To assess the separate effects of depressive symptoms and antidepressant treatment on healthcare utilization and cost. SETTING: Social Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) at ΏͺΤΖΜεΣύ in Minnesota. PARTICIPANTS: Geriatric Social HMO enrollees were screened for depressive symptoms using the 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale. A stratified sample was created, composed of geriatric enrollees with depressive symptoms, with antidepressant prescriptions, or with neither (n = 516). DESIGN: Regression analyses were conducted with separate equations for utilization and charge outcome variables, both outpatient and inpatient (log-transformed). The Charlson Comorbidity Index, age, and gender served as covariates. MEASUREMENT: Depressive symptoms were identified through the Diagnostic Interview Schedule. Antidepressant treatment was determined from the HMO pharmacy database. RESULTS: Having depressive symptoms was associated with a 19 increase in the number of outpatient encounters and a 30 increase in total outpatient charges. Antidepressant treatment was associated with a 32 increase in total outpatient charges but was not significantly associated with number of outpatient encounters. Depressive symptoms and antidepressant therapy were not significantly associated with inpatient utilization or charges. CONCLUSION: This study found that patients with depressive symptoms generated more outpatient health care and higher charges but not necessarily more inpatient care. Our findings suggest that programs targeted to geriatric patients whose depression is comorbid with other chronic medical conditions might be cost-effective and particularly appropriate for geriatric care.<p> Mental Health Services/economics/*statistics & numerical data 2 24384 Regression Analysis Comorbidity Cost-Benefit Analysis *Geriatric Assessment 2022-02-21T22:48:57.408-06:00 public Depressive Disorder/drug therapy/*economics 10.1046/j.1532-5415.2002.50063.x *Health Care Costs Minnesota Office Visits/economics