594. PSYCHOSOCIAL FUNCTION AND PRESCRIBED PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATION IN 269 CHINESE ADULTS WITH COMMON MENTAL DISORDERS (CMD) OVER 9-YEAR FOLLOW UP

Abstract Background Psychotropic medication has been prescribed in persons with distressing depressive and anxiety disorders. Understanding on the impact of pharmacological intervention and psychosocial function may help clinicians to develop a better communication pathway and treatment plans. Aims & Objectives We evaluated factors affecting psychosocial functioning in Chinese adults with CMD over 3 follow up (FU) assessments in a 9-year period, and explored if prescribed medication would impact on psychosocial function. Method he Hong Kong Mental Morbidity Survey (HKMMS) was conducted to explore the prevalence of mental health problems in Hong Kong. Baseline study was conducted from 2010 to 2013. 5,719 randomly recruited community dwelling adults in Hong Kong participated and 825 (weighted prevalence 13.3%) participants was assessed as suffering from CMD (Depressive and/or anxiety disorder, Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised, CISR >=12). Follow up assessments were conducted at 3rd, 7th and 9th years after baseline. At 9 years, 269 Chinese adults with Baseline CMD completed assessments. We evaluated the psychosocial function with Social and Occupational Functioning Scale (SOFAS) and its associative factors. Information on prescribed psychotropic medication at each assessment time point were collected. Results 825 (227 men, 27.5%) had CMD at baseline. The persistence rates of CMD, compared to baseline, were 50%(n=324), 59%(n=290), 49%(n=269) at 3rd, 7th and 9th years respectively. Proportion (%) of prescribed psychiatric medication for mental health symptoms were relatively low (Life time before baseline: 42%, baseline: 27%, 3rd year: 12%, 7th year:10%, 9th year:9%). At anytime point, prescribed medication was associated with a higher CIS-R score at that follow up (t-tests, p< 0,001). SOFAS scores were associated with medical comorbidity and poor social support. Prescribed psychotropic medication was associated with worse SOFAS scores at baseline and 3rd year, but not in 7th and 9th year FU (linear regression controlled for demographics, current CIS-R scores, medical morbidity, social support, baseline medication prescription). Discussion & Conclusions With the context of limitations with a relatively small sample size in the later FUs, the findings reflected that about half of adults with CMD in community remit over long periods of observation. Prescription of psychiatric medication for CMD is low and related to more severe symptoms. Psychosocial functions were related to adverse health factors and social support. Drug treatments may help to address symptomatology but may not impact on functioning in our participants with more severe depressive and anxiety symptoms.