title: Trends in utilization of antiepileptic drugs in Denmark.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe utilization of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in Denmark during 1993-2002, with special emphasis on oxcarbazepine, and to assess probable indications for AED use.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrieved prescription data from Odense University Pharmacoepidemiological Database, in Funen County, Denmark (population in 2002: 472,869). Within each calendar year we estimated period prevalence, incidence rate and monotherapy rate. Based on co-medication we defined 'epilepsy' when only AEDs were prescribed, 'pain' with co-prescription of opioids, and 'mood disorder' with co-prescription of antipsychotics or antidepressants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified 15,604 AED users. The prevalence of using AED increased from 9.3 (95% CI, 9-9.5) to 12.1 (11.8-12.4)/1000 persons. The incidence rate increased from 1.4 (1.3-1.6) to 1.7 (1.6-1.9)/1000 personyears. The monotherapy rate was 79-82%. AED use for 'epilepsy' declined by 19.7%, whereas the proportion of 'pain' and 'mood disorder' treatment increased by 11.2% and 8.4% respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antiepileptic drug utilization increased during the study period, the increase probably caused by expanding use in areas other than epilepsy.
authors: Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark. iotsi@dadlnet.dk
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Tsiropoulos
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Gichangi
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Andersen
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Bjerrum
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Gaist
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Hallas