title: National trends of psychotropic medication use among patients diagnosed with anxiety disorders: results from medical expenditure panel survey 2004-2009.
abstract: Data from the 2004 to 2009 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) were used to: (1) characterize changes in utilization and (2) identify factors associated with the use of psychotropic medication among patients with anxiety disorders. We calculated the prevalence, compared the use patterns for each year and drug class, and used logistic regression to identify the factors associated with psychotropic medication use. Patients ever using a psychotropic medication for anxiety grew from 57.4% in 2004 to 63.8% in 2009 (p<0.01). From 2004 to 2009, use of benzodiazepines (22.7-30.5%, p<0.01) and atypical antipsychotics (2.3-3.9%, p<0.01) increased. A high prevalence in the use of benzodiazepines (41.8% in 2004 to 48.8% in 2009) was observed among older adults. Older age, having insurance coverage, and poor health status were significantly associated with self-reported psychotropic medication use. An increase of psychotropic medication use from 2004 to 2009 was observed. A high prevalence and increasing trend in the use of benzodiazepines may warrant further attention given safety concerns in older adults.
authors: School of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taiwan. chunghwu@tmu.edu.tw
authors: Chung-Hsuen
authors: CH
authors: Wu
authors: Chi-Chuan
authors: CC
authors: Wang
authors: Aaron Jacob
authors: AJ
authors: Katz
authors: Joel
authors: J
authors: Farley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D001569:Benzodiazepines