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Psychotropic medicine prescriptions in Italian youths: a multiregional study
Daniele Piovani1, Antonio Clavenna2, Massimo Cartabia2
1Laboratory for Mother and Child Health, Public Health Department, IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", Via Giuseppe La Masa 19, 20156, Milan, Italy. daniele.piovani@marionegri.it.
Insights
Paediatric psychotropic drug prescriptions in Italy remained stable and limited between 2006-2011. No significant geographical patterns or correlations with income were observed in this study of child psychotropic medication use.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric pharmacology
- Public health
- Psychiatric epidemiology
Background:
- Psychotropic medication use in children is a growing public health concern.
- Understanding prescription trends and patterns is crucial for appropriate healthcare management.
- Limited data exists on the national trends of paediatric psychotropic drug prescriptions in Italy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the trends in paediatric psychotropic drug prescriptions across Italy from 2006 to 2011.
- To analyze prescription prevalence and incidence by age, gender, and drug class.
- To investigate correlations between prescription rates, hospital admissions, and socio-economic factors.
Main Methods:
- Utilized regional outpatient prescription databases from seven Italian regions (covering 50% of the population).
- Calculated prevalence and incidence of psychotropic, antidepressant, antipsychotic, and ADHD medication prescriptions.
- Assessed trends over six years and correlated prescription data with hospital admission rates and socio-economic variables at the local health unit level.
Main Results:
- In 2011, 1.76‰ of youths received psychotropic prescriptions; prevalence remained stable overall (2006-2011).
- Antidepressants were most common in females, antipsychotics in males; prevalence increased with age.
- No significant correlation was found between prescription rates and geographical or socio-economic factors.
Conclusions:
- Paediatric psychotropic drug prescription in Italy is limited and stable, with no discernible geographical or socio-economic patterns.
- The findings suggest a consistent, albeit low, level of psychotropic medication use in Italian youth.
- Further research is needed to explore the specific indications and long-term outcomes of these prescriptions.
Abstract:
The aim of the study was to evaluate the trend of paediatric psychotropic drug prescriptions in Italy. Data sources were regional, outpatient prescription databases. Seven Italian regions, covering 50 % of the Italian population, provided data from 2006 to 2011. Prevalence and incidence of prescriptions by age and gender were evaluated for psychotropic, antidepressant, antipsychotic, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) medications. The hospital admission rate for psychiatric conditions was calculated, also at the local health unit (LHU) level. The presence of trends in prescription prevalence and incidence during the 6 year period was assessed. Finally, the correlation between prevalence, prescription, hospital admission rates, latitude, longitude, and average annual income at the LHU level was also investigated. In 2011, 8834 youths received at least one psychotropic drug prescription, with a prevalence of 1.76 ‰ (95 % CI 1.72-1.80). The incidence of new psychotropic drug users was 1.03 ‰ (1.00-1.06). The prevalence of antidepressants was 1.02 ‰ (0.99-1.04), while that of antipsychotics was 0.70 ‰ (0.68-0.72), and that of ADHD medications 0.19 ‰ (0.18-0.21). The psychotropic drug prevalence increased with increasing age. Males were more exposed to psychotropic drugs than females (AUC0-17 male/female = 1.23). Antipsychotics were the most prescribed psychotropic drugs in males, while antidepressants were in females. Between-region prevalence ranged from 1.56 to 2.17 ‰. The overall prevalence of psychotropic drug from 2006 to 2011 was stable (χ(t)2 ≤ 0.001, p = 0.97). No correlation was found between prevalence and the variables investigated. Psychotropic drug prescription was very limited and stable. No geographical patterns were found.
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