Psychotropic consumption before and during COVID-19 in Asturias, Spain
Abstract Background Spain as multiple other countries has been experiencing an increasing and sustained trend in the use of psychotropic medications since the mid 90s. Recent studies show public health measures implemented to control SARS-Cov2, such as mobility restrictions and the shutdown of nones...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2023-03-01
|
| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15360-0 |
| _version_ | 1797863239040630784 |
|---|---|
| author | María Luisa Nicieza García Paula Fernández Martínez Eva Fernández Bretón Marta M. Martínez Alfonso Patricio Suárez Gil |
| author_facet | María Luisa Nicieza García Paula Fernández Martínez Eva Fernández Bretón Marta M. Martínez Alfonso Patricio Suárez Gil |
| author_sort | María Luisa Nicieza García |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Spain as multiple other countries has been experiencing an increasing and sustained trend in the use of psychotropic medications since the mid 90s. Recent studies show public health measures implemented to control SARS-Cov2, such as mobility restrictions and the shutdown of nonessential activities increased mental suffering, even contributing to a higher number of anxiety, depression and insomnia disorders that could lead to an increase in the consumption of psychotropics. The aims were: 1) Evaluate the temporal trend in psychotropic consumption by pharmacological subgroup, sex, and age group 2) Estimate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in the use of psychotropic drugs. Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study, retrieving all prescriptions of anxiolytics, hypnotics and sedatives, and antidepressants dispensed in pharmacies of Asturias (Northern Spain) for Primary Care patients for the period 2018–2021. We presented the data expressed in Daily Defined Doses (DDDs) for 1000 persons/day (DHD). To estimate changes in DHDs by year and age group we conducted two multiple linear regressions (one for males and one for females) for every pharmacological subgroup studied. Changes were considered statistically significant when the regression coefficient was p < 0.05. We used the Software R 4.1.0. Results For the studied period, the highest DHDs are for antidepressants, although all of the subgroups experienced an increase in consumption rates. Women consumed more psychotropic drugs than men. In 2021, 372 out of every 1000 women were taking daily 1 DDD of these drugs versus 184 out of every 1000 men. Consumption rates for all psychotropic drugs progressively increases with age. Conversely, the biggest increases in consumption were among the youngest age groups (0–14 and 15–29 years) for women, while for men there is more variability. The regression models suggest an upward trend in psychotropic consumption during all the period, especially remarkable from 2020, for both genders and all age groups. Conclusions - The consumption of psychotropic drugs has gradually increased over the last 4 years, with a significant boost starting in 2020 for both sexes, matching the start of the SARS-COV2 pandemic and the implementation of strict Public Health measures to contain it. - The increase observed on children and adolescents is a matter of concern. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T22:33:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-032dfa5588404c76a3921350120f1d72 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T22:33:28Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-032dfa5588404c76a3921350120f1d722023-03-22T12:37:01ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582023-03-012311910.1186/s12889-023-15360-0Psychotropic consumption before and during COVID-19 in Asturias, SpainMaría Luisa Nicieza García0Paula Fernández Martínez1Eva Fernández Bretón2Marta M. Martínez Alfonso3Patricio Suárez Gil4Health Department, General Directorate of Health Policy and PlanningBiostatistics and Epidemiology Platform, Health Research Institute of AsturiasBiostatistics and Epidemiology Platform, Health Research Institute of AsturiasHealth Department, General Directorate of Health Policy and PlanningBiostatistics and Epidemiology Platform, Health Research Institute of AsturiasAbstract Background Spain as multiple other countries has been experiencing an increasing and sustained trend in the use of psychotropic medications since the mid 90s. Recent studies show public health measures implemented to control SARS-Cov2, such as mobility restrictions and the shutdown of nonessential activities increased mental suffering, even contributing to a higher number of anxiety, depression and insomnia disorders that could lead to an increase in the consumption of psychotropics. The aims were: 1) Evaluate the temporal trend in psychotropic consumption by pharmacological subgroup, sex, and age group 2) Estimate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in the use of psychotropic drugs. Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study, retrieving all prescriptions of anxiolytics, hypnotics and sedatives, and antidepressants dispensed in pharmacies of Asturias (Northern Spain) for Primary Care patients for the period 2018–2021. We presented the data expressed in Daily Defined Doses (DDDs) for 1000 persons/day (DHD). To estimate changes in DHDs by year and age group we conducted two multiple linear regressions (one for males and one for females) for every pharmacological subgroup studied. Changes were considered statistically significant when the regression coefficient was p < 0.05. We used the Software R 4.1.0. Results For the studied period, the highest DHDs are for antidepressants, although all of the subgroups experienced an increase in consumption rates. Women consumed more psychotropic drugs than men. In 2021, 372 out of every 1000 women were taking daily 1 DDD of these drugs versus 184 out of every 1000 men. Consumption rates for all psychotropic drugs progressively increases with age. Conversely, the biggest increases in consumption were among the youngest age groups (0–14 and 15–29 years) for women, while for men there is more variability. The regression models suggest an upward trend in psychotropic consumption during all the period, especially remarkable from 2020, for both genders and all age groups. Conclusions - The consumption of psychotropic drugs has gradually increased over the last 4 years, with a significant boost starting in 2020 for both sexes, matching the start of the SARS-COV2 pandemic and the implementation of strict Public Health measures to contain it. - The increase observed on children and adolescents is a matter of concern.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15360-0Primary health careAnti-anxiety agentsAntidepressive agentsHypnotics and sedativesDrug prescriptions |
| spellingShingle | María Luisa Nicieza García Paula Fernández Martínez Eva Fernández Bretón Marta M. Martínez Alfonso Patricio Suárez Gil Psychotropic consumption before and during COVID-19 in Asturias, Spain BMC Public Health Primary health care Anti-anxiety agents Antidepressive agents Hypnotics and sedatives Drug prescriptions |
| title | Psychotropic consumption before and during COVID-19 in Asturias, Spain |
| title_full | Psychotropic consumption before and during COVID-19 in Asturias, Spain |
| title_fullStr | Psychotropic consumption before and during COVID-19 in Asturias, Spain |
| title_full_unstemmed | Psychotropic consumption before and during COVID-19 in Asturias, Spain |
| title_short | Psychotropic consumption before and during COVID-19 in Asturias, Spain |
| title_sort | psychotropic consumption before and during covid 19 in asturias spain |
| topic | Primary health care Anti-anxiety agents Antidepressive agents Hypnotics and sedatives Drug prescriptions |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15360-0 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT marialuisaniciezagarcia psychotropicconsumptionbeforeandduringcovid19inasturiasspain AT paulafernandezmartinez psychotropicconsumptionbeforeandduringcovid19inasturiasspain AT evafernandezbreton psychotropicconsumptionbeforeandduringcovid19inasturiasspain AT martammartinezalfonso psychotropicconsumptionbeforeandduringcovid19inasturiasspain AT patriciosuarezgil psychotropicconsumptionbeforeandduringcovid19inasturiasspain |