title: [Psychotropic drug use in France: changes over time and comparison with other European countries].
abstract: Over the past 20 years, hypnotic drug use has diminished in France, while consumption of anxiolytics and neuroleptics has remained stable and antidepressant use has risen. Data from the ESEMeD survey (European Study of Epidemiology of Mental Disorders) conducted in 2002 in Germany, Belgium, Spain, France, Netherlands and Italy showed that use of anxiolytics during the previous year (including recurrent use) was less frequent in Germany than elsewhere. Belgium and France had a higher prevalence of antidepressant consumption. Among depressed patients, fewer than one-third reported antidepressant use (no difference among the countries), while one-third said they used anxiolytics (higher rate in France). One-quarter of patients with anxiety stated they used a benzodiazepine (lower rate in Germany). Age, psychiatric disorders and neurological disorders were strongly associated with benzodiazepine use. Factors strongly associated with antidepressant use were age (bell-shaped curve), female sex, and psychiatric disorders.
authors.affiliation: Hôpital Fernand Widal, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, INSERM U 705 CNRS UMR 7157, Université Denis Diderot, Paris.
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Lépine
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gasquet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003625:Data Collection; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D001569:Benzodiazepines