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Trends in the dispensation of antidepressant drugs over the past decade (2000–2010) in Andalusia, Spain

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Abstract

Purpose

To study antidepressant drug dispensation in the Spanish region of Andalusia and in the Almeria Health Area (AHA) over the past decade, analyzing the variability, trends, and influential factors.

Methods

We conducted an observational ecological study of antidepressant drug dispensation between 2000 and 2010 in Andalusia. Dispensation was measured as Defined Daily Dose (DDD) per 1,000 inhabitants per day. A multilevel analysis (STATA 11.1) was performed to determine the variability among the basic health zones (BHZs) (2004–2010) and influential factors.

Results

Between 2000 and 2010, the total dispensation of antidepressant drugs increased by more than 100 % in Andalusia and in the AHA. This increase was primarily caused by the greater dispensation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (ATC-N06AB) and other antidepressants (ATC-N06AX). Multilevel analysis revealed a wide variability in the levels and trends of antidepressant dispensation among BHZs. Urbanicity and the percentage of immigrants in the BHZ were negatively associated with their dispensation, which was positively influenced by a higher proportion of women and over 65-year-olds in the population.

Conclusions

The elevated dispensation of several groups of antidepressant drugs in this study population indicates the need for health policies to rationalize their use. Further research is required into the differences in antidepressant dispensations between immigrant and native populations and the implications for public health policies.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Richard Davies for improving the use of English in the manuscript.

Conflict of interest

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pharmaceutical Health District of Almería, Almería, Spain

    M. C. González-López

  2. Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almería, Almería, Spain

    C. M. Rodríguez-López

  3. Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Almería, Almería, Spain

    T. Parrón-Carreño

  4. Department of Statistics and Operations Research, University of Granada, Granada, Spain

    J. D. Luna

  5. Department of Pharmacology and Institute of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Avda. de Madrid 11, 18012, Granada, Spain

    E. Del Pozo

Authors
  1. M. C. González-López
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  4. J. D. Luna
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  5. E. Del Pozo
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Correspondence to E. Del Pozo.

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González-López, M.C., Rodríguez-López, C.M., Parrón-Carreño, T. et al. Trends in the dispensation of antidepressant drugs over the past decade (2000–2010) in Andalusia, Spain. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 50, 705–712 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-014-0995-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-014-0995-9

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