Deprescription of Antidepressants in Primary Care (DAPriCare)

Plain-language summary

Introduction The consumption of antidepressants has increased considerably worldwide, including in Spain. Despite their effectiveness in cases of moderate to severe depression, their long-term use in mild cases is questioned. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a deprescribing intervention in primary care, to reduce the unnecessary consumption of these drugs and improve patients' quality of life. Material and Methods A community-based clinical trial will be carried out before and after in an adult population of residents of an urban area of Cadiz (Spain) who have been prescribed antidepressants in the last year. Participants will be randomly selected and followed up for a predetermined period after consensus. The intervention will consist of a comprehensive evaluation of antidepressant treatment by a team of health professionals. Factors such as indication, dose, and response to treatment will be evaluated, and the Hamilton scale for anxiety and the Beck Inventory for depression will be used. In those cases where it is considered appropriate, a gradual reduction or suspension of the drug will be proposed, always under medical supervision. Conclusions This research will contribute to generating scientific evidence on the safety and efficacy of deprescribing in primary care, promoting a more rational use of antidepressants, and improving the quality of life of patients. The results obtained could have important implications for clinical practice and for the development of clinical practice guidelines.

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