Factors Associated with Adherence to Follow-up Among Patients with Depressive Disorders in a Collaborative Care Program in Iran

Despite effective treatments are available for depressive disorders, less than half of patients utilize them and the treatment gap is large.

This study aimed to investigate factors associated with adherence to follow-up in patients diagnosed with a depressive disorder in the collaborative care program in Tehran between May 2017 to October 2017.

A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed in three community mental health centers (CMHCs) in Tehran.

A total of 435 cases were recruited, and their adherence to follow-up rate was 41.6%. According to multivariate regression, being visited in a particular center, having a high school or higher level of education, having a positive family history with effective treatment, taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), experiencing a lower level of perceived mental health before the first visit, and referral to a psychiatrist could predict adherence to follow-up. Patients who had a chief complaint of typical depressive symptoms and those who were employed were less likely to be adherent to follow-up.

More population-based studies in various settings and cultures are needed to enhance our knowledge regarding interventions necessary to deliver quality care to depressed patients.