[Prevalence and distribution of antidepressant, anxiolytic and hypnotic use in 2001.]

To study the prevalence of the use of antidepressant, anxiolytic and hypnotic drugs, the distribution of the use according to clinical and demographic factors and to compare it with the prevalence according to official sales figures.

Data was collected in a survey by the Alcohol and Drug Prevention Committee. Four thousand individuals were selected at random from the population aged 18-75 years. Pharmaceutical use was studied according to sex, age, length of use, well-being, medical consultations, smoking, alcohol problems, education, marital status, income, occupation, and work pressure. Data on sales was supplied by the Ministry of Health and Social Security, Office of Pharmaceutical Affairs.

The response rate was 63.6%. Almost 20% had used some of these drugs during the preceeding 12 months, slightly more women than men. There was neither significant difference in the one year prevalence of use of antidepressants and hypnotics according to sex nor according to age for antidepressants and anxiolytics. One half of the youngest age group used antidepressants for less than three months. Use of hypnotics increased by age. Estimated use of antidepressants and hypnotics is 54% and 61%, respectively, of sales figures. There was no significant difference in the relative risk of drug use for men and women seeking medical consultations. Odds ratios were higher for smokers, especially for the use of antidepressants. People with the little education and low income was most likely to have used antidepressants and anxiolytics.

Use of these drugs is common, but not as extensive as sales figures suggest. Sex difference is smaller than in previous studies. Prevalence of use, especially longterm, increases with age. As expected the use is most common among the socio-economically disadvantaged.