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Sexual orientation differences in outpatient psychiatric treatment and antidepressant usage: evidence from a population-based study of siblings.

ABSTRACT: In the past two decades, population-based health surveys have begun including measures of sexual orientation, permitting estimates of sexual orientation disparities in psychiatric morbidity and differences in treatment utilization. The present study takes advantage of the high-quality, comprehensive nationwide health registry data available in Sweden to examine whether psychiatric outpatient treatment for various diagnoses and antidepressant medication usage are greater in sexual minority individuals compared to their siblings. A longitudinal cohort study design was used with a representative random population-based sample in Stockholm, Sweden. Registry-based health record data on all specialized outpatient health care visits and prescription drug use was linked to a sample of 1154 sexual minority individuals from the Stockholm Public Health Cohort and their siblings. The main outcomes were treatment due to psychiatric diagnoses retrieved from nationwide registry-based health records. In analyses accounting for dependency between siblings, gay men/lesbians had a greater likelihood of being treated for mood disorder [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.77; 99% confidence intervals (CI) 1.00, 3.16] and being prescribed antidepressants (AOR 1.51; 99% CI 1.10, 2.07) compared to their siblings. Further, bisexual individuals had a greater likelihood of any outpatient psychiatric treatment (AOR 1.69; 99% CI 1.17, 2.45) and being prescribed antidepressants (AOR 1.48; 99% CI 1.07, 2.05) as well as a greater likelihood of being treated for a mood disorder (AOR 1.98; 99% CI 1.33, 2.95) compared to their siblings. No difference in anxiety or substance use disorder treatment was found between any sexual minority subgroup and their siblings. The potential role of familial confounding in psychiatric disorder treatment was not supported for more than half of the outcomes that were examined. Results suggest that sexual minority individuals are significantly more likely to be treated for certain psychiatric disorders compared to their siblings. Future research is needed to understand mechanisms other than familial factors that might cause the substantial treatment differences based on sexual orientation reported here.

SUBMITTER: Branstrom R

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5995973 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:IntroductionSubjective cognitive decline is a self-reported measure of worsening memory and day-to-day decision making. Cognitive decline may impair an individual's ability to complete instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) such as preparing meals or taking medication, ultimately limiting one's ability to live independently. People with IADL impairments typically rely on informal care from spouses or children. Interpersonal and structural discrimination towards sexual minority (SM, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, and other queer identified) populations may contribute to disparities in cognitive decline and informal care outcomes.ObjectiveEstimate differences in prevalence, severity, and receipt of social support for subjective cognitive decline stratified by sex and SM status.MethodsCross-sectional study design using a probability sample (n = 172,047) from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2015-2019. Prevalence estimates and multivariable Poisson regression models were used to compare outcomes by sex and sexual identity.ResultsCompared to heterosexual peers, SM men and women were more likely to experience cognitive decline (15% of SM men, 11% of heterosexual men, 17% of SM women, 11% of heterosexual women). In adjusted models, SM women were 22% more likely (95%CI:3%-44%, p < .05) to report IADL impairments due to cognitive decline but were 17% less likely (95%CI:1%-31%, p < .05) to receive any social support with IADL impairments compared to heterosexual women. In adjusted models, SM men were 25% more likely (95%CI: 0%-56%, p < .05) to report IADL impairments due to cognitive decline but reported no significant difference in receiving social support with IADL impairments compared to heterosexual men.DiscussionWe identified significant unmet need for social supports for IADL impairments, with highest unmet need among SM women. Comprehensive strategies such as LGBTQ + affirming assisted living and home and community-based services are needed to ensure equity in receipt of long-term supports and services for SM populations.

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Sexual orientation differences in outpatient psychiatric treatment and antidepressant usage: evidence from a population-based study of siblings.

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