Article
Prescription of antidepressants: Situation in Germany
Verordnung von Antidepressiva: Situation in Deutschland anhand von Krankenkassendaten
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Published: | November 6, 2008 |
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Background and aim: In the last years antidepressants were one of the greatest increasing agent groups.
Their efficiency was discussed and also listed in numerous publications with regard to evidence and effectiveness. Guidelines recommend the prescription of psychotherapy.
The aim of the study was to present prescription prevalence for people 18 years and older considering the variations regarding age and sex, the different drugs and sufficient drug treatment.
Material and methods: A statutory health insurance company’s (Gmuender ErsatzKasse GEK) person-specific but non-identifying prescription data from 2000, 2003, and 2006 to 2007 were analysed for the prescription of antidepressants. Prevalence, prescribed packages and DDDs were calculated.
Outpatient data of the prescription of psychotherapy from 2006 was linked with the drug data from 2006 additionally.
Results: For females the chance of a depression diagnosis is more than twice as high than for males, especially in upper age. In an analogous manner the prescription of antidepressants is higher.
The number of prescribed psychotherapy is very low in both sexes.
Conclusion: People with a depression should be early diagnosed and adequately treated, this especially applies to older patients.