Increased rate of treatment with antidepressants in patients with epilepsy.
The risk of depressive and anxiety disorders is increased among patients with epilepsy, but it is not known whether patients are treated with antidepressants in clinical practice. In a nationwide case register linkage study, all patients who received a main diagnosis of epilepsy or osteoarthritis on first admission or outpatient contact during the period 1995 to 2000 in Denmark were identified, and rates of subsequent purchases of antidepressants were calculated. Comparisons were also made with a gender-, age-, and calendar-matched sample of the general population. Patients diagnosed with epilepsy had a 1.73 (95% CI: 1.45-2.06) times increased rate of subsequently purchasing antidepressants, compared with patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis and a 2.44 times (95% CI: 2.12-2.81) increased rate compared with the rate among the general population. It is concluded that patients with epilepsy have a moderately increased probability of being prescribed antidepressants in clinical practice.
Kessing
Lars Vedel
LV
Department of Psychiatry, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Blegdamsvej 9, DK 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark. lars.kessing@rh.dk
Harhoff
Mette
M
Andersen
Per Kragh
PK
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012042:Registries; D012737:Sex Factors
D000928:Antidepressive Agents