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Trends in psychotropic use in Saskatchewan from 1983 to 2007
Xiangfei Meng1, Carl D'Arcy, Raymond Tempier
1Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. xim443@mail.usask.ca
Summary
Psychotropic medication use in Saskatchewan initially declined, then rose significantly by 2007, driven by increased antidepressant prescriptions. Family physicians
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry and Public Health
- Pharmaceutical Epidemiology
Background:
- Limited research exists on psychotropic medication trends in general populations.
- Understanding long-term prescribing patterns is crucial for public health.
- This study examines psychotropic use over 24 years in Saskatchewan.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in the use of a full spectrum of psychotropic medications.
- To provide an overview of psychotropic prescribing patterns in Saskatchewan from 1983 to 2007.
Main Methods:
- Utilized administrative data from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health.
- Included antidepressants (ADs), antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, anxiolytics, stimulants, and cholinesterase inhibitors.
- Analyzed data from 9 triennial years between 1983 and 2007 using descriptive statistics.
Main Results:
- Psychotropic use decreased from 8.38% in 1983 to 7.44% in 1989, then increased to 12.90% by 2007.
- Antidepressant prescriptions saw a dramatic rise, particularly after 1995, driving the overall trend.
- Family physicians significantly increased their psychotropic prescribing, with most drug classes showing an increase except anxiolytics.
Conclusions:
- Increased antidepressant prescriptions are the primary driver of rising psychotropic use.
- The significant role of family physicians in prescribing necessitates enhanced training and continuing education.
- Long-term trends indicate a growing reliance on psychotropic medications in the general population.
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