Relationship between pharmacotherapy for major depressive disorder and healthcare utilisation in British Columbia, Canada: a retrospective population-based cohort.

Objectives: To describe the population that meets the criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD) in British Columbia (BC), compare patterns of healthcare utilisation between those with MDD who are and are not prescribed pharmacotherapy, and assess these relationships in models that control for potential confounding variables.

Design: We used a population cross-sectional study design among a cohort of individuals living with MDD and examined the relationship between pharmacotherapy and healthcare utilisation between 2019 and 2020 using linked billing and administrative data.

Setting: This study identified individuals with MDD using a validated case definition of International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes in BC, Canada.

A Canadian Simulation Model for Major Depressive Disorder: Study Protocol.

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common, often recurrent condition and a significant driver of healthcare costs. People with MDD often receive pharmacological therapy as the first-line treatment, but the majority of people require more than one medication trial to find one that relieves symptoms without causing intolerable side effects. There is an acute need for more effective interventions to improve patients' remission and quality of life and reduce the condition's economic burden on the healthcare system.

Costs of major depression covered / not covered in British Columbia, Canada.

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the world's leading causes of disability. Our purpose was to characterize the total costs of MDD and evaluate the degree to which the British Columbia provincial health system meets its objective to protect people from the financial impact of illness.

Methods: We performed a population-based cohort study of adults newly diagnosed with MDD between 2015 and 2020 and followed their health system costs over two years.

Cost-effectiveness of pharmacogenomic-guided treatment for major depression.

Background: Pharmacogenomic testing to identify variations in genes that influence metabolism of antidepressant medications can enhance efficacy and reduce adverse effects of pharmacotherapy for major depressive disorder. We sought to establish the cost-effectiveness of implementing pharmacogenomic testing to guide prescription of antidepressants.

Methods: We developed a discrete-time microsimulation model of care pathways for major depressive disorder in British Columbia, Canada, to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of pharmacogenomic testing from the public payer's perspective over 20 years.