title: Utilization of antidepressants in Taiwan: a nationwide population-based survey from 2000 to 2009.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined trends in antidepressant utilization in Taiwan between 2000 and 2009.
  
  
  METHODS
  We collected data from the National Health Insurance Research Database of all incident antidepressant use. We described the incidence, prevalence, and therapeutic indications of antidepressant use. We tested the trends by using logistic regression analyses with adjustment for age and sex.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, the prevalence of antidepressant use per 1000 persons increased from 32.1 in 2000 to 46.3 in 2009; however, the incidence per 1000 persons declined from 20.8 in 2000 to 16.5 in 2009. For antidepressant classes, the prescriptions of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other new agents increased during the study periods; however, the use of tricyclic antidepressants, trazodone, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors declined. For therapeutic indications, we found increasing trends of antidepressant use for sleep and adjustment disorders; however, the rates of antidepressant use for mood disorder, anxiety disorders, and non-psychiatric conditions decreased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Regarding the new use of antidepressants in Taiwan between 2000 and 2009, we found that the decreased incidence of antidepressant use might be attributed mainly to the decreased use of tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Decreased use among middle-aged and older persons and fewer antidepressant prescriptions for non-psychiatric conditions were also noted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chi-Shin
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Wen-Yi
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Shau
authors.forename: Hung-Yu
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Yen-Chieh
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yun-Ju
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Mei-Shu
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lai
mesh_terms: D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D013624:Taiwan; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents