Adjunctive antidepressant use in schizophrenia in China: A national survey (2002–2012)

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the pattern of adjunctive antidepressant use in schizophrenia patients and its demographic and clinical correlates in a nationwide survey in China. Methods: Fourteen thousand and thirteen patients in 45 Chinese psychiatric hospitals or centers were interviewed (4,486 in 2002, 5,288 in 2006, and 4,239 in 2012). Patients' sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were recorded using a standardized protocol and data collection procedure. Chi-square test, independent-samples t test, Mann–Whitney U test, and multiple logistic regression analysis were used in data analyses. Results: Antidepressant use was found in 5.2% of the study population with 4.6% in 2002, 4..