1
|
Lehti V, Kieseppä V, Gissler M, Suvisaari J, Markkula N. Psychotherapy use among migrants: a register-based longitudinal study. J Epidemiol Community Health 2024:jech-2024-222330. [PMID: 39147569 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2024-222330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Migrants use less mental health services compared with non-migrant populations, but there is very little information on the use of long-term psychotherapy among migrants. Finnish register data allow for studying the whole migrant population in Finland and collecting data on all publicly supported rehabilitative psychotherapy. METHODS This study is based on a sample of migrants (n=185 605) and Finnish-born controls (n=185 605). Participants who had received reimbursements for rehabilitative psychotherapy during 2007-2020 were identified from a register maintained by the Social Insurance Institution of Finland. Cox regression analysis was used to study the effect of migrant status on the time until the start of therapy. Multinomial logistic regression was used to study the association between migrant status and the number of psychotherapy sessions. RESULTS Finnish-born participants received psychotherapy more often (n=7258) than migrants (n=1516). The adjusted HR for initiating psychotherapy among migrants compared with Finnish-born individuals was 0.27 (95% CI 0.25 to 0.28). Migrants from sub-Saharan Africa and Asia and recently arrived migrants were least likely to receive psychotherapy. Migrants were more likely to receive short treatment periods than Finnish-born controls. CONCLUSION Lower use of rehabilitative psychotherapy among migrant population in Finland is not likely to reflect lower need for treatment. More efforts are needed to promote equal access to psychotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Venla Lehti
- Equality Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Psychiatry, HUS Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Valentina Kieseppä
- Research Unit of Clinical Medicine, Oulu University Faculty of Medicine, Oulu, Finland
- The University of Edinburgh Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Mika Gissler
- Knowledge Brokers, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Academic Primary Health Care Centre, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Research Centre for Child Psychiatry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Jaana Suvisaari
- Equality Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
- Finnish Medical Society Duodecim, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Niina Markkula
- Mental Health Services, City of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lehti V, Salama E, Niemelä S, Tanskanen A, Gissler M, Suvisaari J, Taipale H. Use of benzodiazepine and related drugs in migrants and Finnish-born persons: a nationwide register-based study. Scand J Public Health 2023; 51:1222-1230. [PMID: 35876428 PMCID: PMC10642218 DOI: 10.1177/14034948221112470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Benzodiazepines and related drugs (BZDR) are often used longer than generally recommended. The aim is to study patterns of use among migrant and Finnish-born users of BZDR, and to identify factors that are associated with long-term use and BZDR polytherapy. METHODS This register-based study includes a nationwide sample of migrants (n=8729) and their Finnish-born controls (n=11 388) who had purchased BZDR in 2011-2014, but not in 2009-2010. Information on drug purchases was obtained from the National Prescription Register and the duration of drug use was estimated using PRE2DUP method. The main outcomes were long-term use of BZDR, polytherapy and time until discontinuation of BZDR use. Sociodemographic variables and information on preceding psychiatric diagnoses were included as covariates. Logistic and Cox regression analyses were the statistical methods used. RESULTS Only migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa were more likely to discontinue the medication once initiated than Finnish-born users. Migrants were significantly less likely to be long-term users (adjusted odds ratio 0.79, 95% CI 0.70-0.89) or polytherapy users (aOR 0.90, 95% CI 0.84-0.97) of BZDR compared with Finnish-born participants. CONCLUSIONS Migrants had less long-term and concomitant use of several BZDR than Finnish-born participants. The pattern of use is more optimal among migrants, but it may also reflect poorer access to mental health treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Venla Lehti
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Equality Unit, Finland
- University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital; Department of Psychiatry, Finland
| | - Essi Salama
- Doctoral Programme for Clinical Investigation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku, Finland
- Department of Child Psychiatry, Turku University Hospital, Finland
| | - Solja Niemelä
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Turku, Finland
- Department of Psychiatry, Addiction Psychiatry Unit, Turku University Hospital, Finland
| | - Antti Tanskanen
- University of Eastern Finland, Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Niuvanniemi Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Stockholm, Sweden
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Impact Assessment Unit, Finland
| | - Mika Gissler
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery and Region Stockholm, Academic Primary Health Care Centre, Sweden
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Department of Knowledge Brokers, Helsinki, Finland
- University of Turku, Research Centre for Child Psychiatry, Finland
| | - Jaana Suvisaari
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Equality Unit, Finland
| | - Heidi Taipale
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Equality Unit, Finland
- University of Eastern Finland, Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Niuvanniemi Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
- Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Stockholm, Sweden
- University of Eastern Finland, School of Pharmacy, Kuopio, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lehti V, Taipale H, Gissler M, Tanskanen A, Elonheimo M, Tiihonen J, Suvisaari J. Continuity of antipsychotic medication use among migrant and Finnish-born populations with a psychotic disorder: a register-based study. Psychol Med 2023; 53:833-843. [PMID: 34074352 DOI: 10.1017/s003329172100218x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Higher incidence of psychotic disorders and underuse of mental health services have been reported among many migrant populations. This study examines the initiation and continuity of antipsychotic treatment among migrants and non-migrants with a non-affective psychosis during a new treatment episode. METHODS This study is based on a nationwide sample of migrants and Finnish-born controls. Participants who were diagnosed with a psychotic disorder in 2011-2014 were identified from the Care Register for Health Care (n = 1693). Information on purchases of antipsychotic drugs in 2011-2015 was collected from the National Prescription Register. The duration of antipsychotic treatment since diagnosis was estimated using the PRE2DUP model. Cox regression analysis was used to study factors that are associated with discontinuing the use of medication. RESULTS There were fewer initiators of antipsychotic treatment after being diagnosed with psychosis among migrants (68.1%) than among Finnish-born patients (73.6%). After controlling for sociodemographic background and factors related to the type of disorder and treatment, migrants were more likely to discontinue medication (adjusted hazard ratio 1.28, 95% confidence interval 1.08-1.52). The risk of discontinuation was highest among migrants from North Africa and the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa and among recent migrants. Non-use of antipsychotic treatment before being diagnosed with psychosis, involuntary hospitalization and diagnosis other than schizophrenia were associated with earlier discontinuation both among migrants and non-migrants. CONCLUSIONS Migrants with a psychotic disorder are less likely to continue antipsychotic treatment than non-migrants. The needs of migrant patients have to be addressed to improve adherence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Venla Lehti
- Equality Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Heidi Taipale
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Eastern Finland, Niuvanniemi Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Mika Gissler
- Research Centre for Child Psychiatry, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Information Services Department, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Antti Tanskanen
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Eastern Finland, Niuvanniemi Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Impact Assessment Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Martta Elonheimo
- Equality Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
- Specialized Psychiatric Services, Helsinki, Finland
- Doctoral Programme in Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jari Tiihonen
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Eastern Finland, Niuvanniemi Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Center for Psychiatry Research, Stockholm City Council, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jaana Suvisaari
- Equality Unit, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kieseppä V, Markkula N, Taipale H, Holm M, Jokela M, Suvisaari J, Tanskanen A, Gissler M, Lehti V. Antidepressant use among immigrants with depressive disorder living in Finland: A register-based study. J Affect Disord 2022; 299:528-535. [PMID: 34953922 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.12.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to examine differences in the initiation and discontinuation of antidepressants between immigrants and the Finnish-born population diagnosed with depression in specialized health care. METHODS The study utilized register-based data, which includes all immigrants living in Finland at the end of 2010 and matched Finnish-born controls. For this study, we selected individuals who had received a diagnosis of depression during 2011-2014 (immigrants n = 2244, Finnish-born n = 2773). Their antidepressant use was studied for a one-year period from initiation. A logistic regression was used to predict initiation and a Cox regression was used to predict discontinuation. RESULTS Immigrants were more likely to initiate the use of antidepressants than the Finnish-born controls (adjusted OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.07-1.46), but they also discontinued the medication earlier than the Finnish-born controls (adjusted HR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.31-1.68). Immigrants from Sub Saharan Africa, the Middle East and Northern Africa were most likely to discontinue antidepressants earlier. More severe depression, a longer length of residence in Finland and more intensive psychiatric treatment were associated with decreased risk of discontinuation. LIMITATIONS The registers do not provide information on the perceived reasons for the discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS Immigrants with depression initiate antidepressants more often than the Finnish-born population, but they also discontinue them earlier. Early discontinuation may be a sign of insufficient treatment suggesting that there could be a need for improvement in mental health care for immigrants in Finland.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Kieseppä
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Finland, Equality Unit, Helsinki.
| | - Niina Markkula
- University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland, Department of Psychiatry, Helsinki; Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo, Chile, Faculty of Medicine, Santiago
| | - Heidi Taipale
- Karolinska Institutet, Sweden, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Stockholm; Niuvanniemi Hospital, Finland, Kuopio; University of Eastern Finland, Finland, School of Pharmacy, Kuopio
| | - Minna Holm
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Finland, Equality Unit, Helsinki
| | - Markus Jokela
- University of Helsinki, Finland, Medicum, Department of Psychology and Logopedics, Helsinki
| | - Jaana Suvisaari
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Finland, Equality Unit, Helsinki
| | - Antti Tanskanen
- Niuvanniemi Hospital, Finland, Kuopio; University of Eastern Finland, Finland, School of Pharmacy, Kuopio
| | - Mika Gissler
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Finland, Information Services Department, Helsinki; University of Turku, Finland, Research Centre for Child Psychiatry, Turku; Region Stockholm, Sweden, Academic Primary Health Care Centre, Stockholm, and Karolinska Institute, Sweden, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Stockholm
| | - Venla Lehti
- Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Finland, Equality Unit, Helsinki; University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Finland, Department of Psychiatry, Helsinki
| |
Collapse
|