Background: Patient satisfaction with antidepressants (ADs) depends on various factors whose individual contributions are incompletely understood.
Methods: An online survey was conducted of 1199 Japanese individuals being treated for major depressive disorder. Satisfaction for each AD was quantified using a 5-point scale. The average of all agents was calculated for each subject and defined as the Satisfaction Score (SS). Those on a single AD medication (n=667) were divided into four subgroups based on their medication: fluvoxamine (n=165), milnacipran (n=91), paroxetine (n=196), and tricyclic antidepressant (TCA; n=103). Among those with higher SS (>or==4.0), their satisfaction reasons were elicited by three multiple-choice responses: efficacy, fewer side effects, and lower dosing frequency. To compare the responses to these three questions among the four subgroups, one-way analysis of variance and post-hoc comparison tests were performed. Logistic regression was done to determine whether these three responses predict higher satisfaction.
Results: The number of ADs taken by an individual was negatively correlated with the SS (r=-.074, p=.011). SS did not correlate with demographic features. SS was similar among the four subgroups but their satisfaction reasons differed. Predictors of higher SS (SS=5.0 versus 4.0) were reporting "efficacy" and "fewer side effects" as satisfaction reasons.
Limitations: Web-based surveys have a selection bias, and diagnoses were based on self-reports.
Conclusions: SS waned as the number of ADs increased. Among users of four ADs, SS was similar but their satisfaction reasons differed. Perceived efficacy and fewer side effects predicted higher drug satisfaction.