Trends in the use of psychotropic drugs in Taiwan: a population-based national health insurance study, 1997-2004.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined changes in the use of psychotropic agents in Taiwan between 1997 and 2004.


METHODS
The population-based National Health Insurance database was used to detect trends in the use of psychotropic drugs in Taiwan. A dynamic random sample of 200,432 persons was gathered and followed from 1997 to 2004. Persons in the sample who had made at least one service claim during these years for either ambulatory or inpatient care with a psychotropic drug prescription were identified.


RESULTS
The prevalence of any psychotropic drug use increased from 7.1% in 1997 to 12.0% in 2004. The changes in prevalence of use of four kinds of psychotropic drugs from 1997 to 2004 were as follows: antipsychotics, 3.4% to 3.7%, although this finding was not significant; antidepressants, 2.2% to 4.4% (p<.001); mood stabilizers, .6% to 1.3% (p<.001); and anxiolytic-hypnotic drugs, 3.0% to 7.3% (p<.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, the prevalence of use of three kinds of psychotropic drugs (antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and anxiolytic-hypnotic drugs) increased greatly from 1997 to 2004.
Chien
I-Chia
IC
Jianan Mental Hospital, No. 80, Lane 870, Jhongshan Road, Rende Township, Tainan County 71742, Taiwan. icchien@mail.cnpc.gov.tw
Bih
Shin-Huey
SH
Chou
Yiing-Jenq
YJ
Lin
Ching-Heng
CH
Lee
Wen-Guang
WG
Chou
Pesus
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000639:trends*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013624:Taiwan
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs