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Explaining the rise in antidepressant prescribing: a descriptive study using the general practice research database.

Michael Moore¹, Ho Ming Yuen, Nick Dunn

¹University of Southampton, Aldermoor Health Centre, Southampton SO16 5ST. mvm198@soton.ac.uk

BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.)

|October 17, 2009

Summary

Antidepressant prescribing in the UK nearly doubled due to increased long-term treatment, not more initial prescriptions. Future guidance should focus on appropriate long-term depression management and medication review.

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Area of Science:

Pharmacovigilance
Epidemiology
General Practice Research

Background:

Antidepressant prescribing has increased in the UK.
Understanding the drivers of this trend is crucial for healthcare policy.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the factors contributing to the rise in antidepressant prescribing in the UK between 1993 and 2005.

Main Methods:

Retrospective analysis of anonymised data from the General Practice Research Database.
Inclusion of over 3 million patients across 170 UK general practices.
Extraction of data on new depression cases and antidepressant prescriptions from 1993 to 2005.

Main Results:

Antidepressant prescribing nearly doubled from 1993 to 2004.
The proportion of patients receiving antidepressants upon initial diagnosis remained stable.
Increased long-term prescribing and treatment for recurrent depression episodes were key drivers.

Conclusions:

The rise in antidepressant use is primarily linked to changes in long-term treatment patterns.
Future guidelines should emphasize appropriate long-term antidepressant management and regular patient review.
Focus needs to shift from initiation to sustained, appropriate use of antidepressants.