title: International prescribing patterns for mood illness: the International Mood Network (IMN).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To show the feasibility of creating an international network that will build a common database for mood disorders research, and to present initial data on prescribing patterns worldwide.
  
  
  METHODS
  An international research database was organized with clinicians and researchers actively treating mood disorders. Participating sites were asked to provide data on 10-50 subjects initially. This work was conducted under the auspices of a committee with representatives from North and South America, Europe, and Asia. Data was pooled from multiple sites using a centralized online system and then analyzed. Each site received IRB approval for its participation in the IMN and the Tufts Medical Center IRB provided approval for the entire project.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  More than half of the population came from one country (United States) and there is the possibility of cultural bias.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 186 subjects enrolled in the IMN, a majority of subjects were prescribed mood stabilizers including lithium (64%), lamotrigine (37%), valproate (31%), and carbamazepine (3%). 79% had a diagnosis of bipolar disorder type I, II or NOS and 21% had a diagnosis of MDD. 81% of subjects used antidepressants at some point. 25% experienced antidepressant-induced mania and 26% had antidepressant-related rapid cycling. Mood stabilizers were prescribed more in Europe (86%), neuroleptics in South America (70%), and antidepressants in Asia (58%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results confirm the diversity and feasibility of an international mood disorders database. Important regional differences in psychotropic drug treatment of mood illnesses were observed, with more mood stabilizer use in Europe and South America, and more antidepressant use in non-European populations.
authors: Mood Disorders Program, Tufts Medical Center; Tufts University Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
authors: Sivan
authors: S
authors: Mauer
authors: Mood Disorders Program, Tufts Medical Center; Tufts University Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
authors: Rami
authors: R
authors: Alahmari
authors: Mood Disorders Program, Tufts Medical Center; Tufts University Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Departamento de Psiquiatria, Hospital Clinico Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile.
authors: Paul A
authors: PA
authors: Vöhringer
authors: Mood Disorders Program, Tufts Medical Center; Tufts University Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
authors: Derick E
authors: DE
authors: Vergne
authors: Sørlandet Hospital, Arendal, Norway.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Lövdahl
authors: Departamento de Psiquiatria, Hospital Clinico Universidad de Chile, Santiago de Chile.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Correa
authors: Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Patkar
authors: Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Pae
authors: Favoloro University, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Strejilevich
authors: Mood Disorders Program, Tufts Medical Center; Tufts University Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Dalley
authors: Mood Disorders Program, Tufts Medical Center; Tufts University Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address: nghaemi@tuftsmedicalcenter.org.
authors: S Nassir
authors: SN
authors: Ghaemi
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001208:Asia; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D018020:Lithium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009656:North America; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013020:South America; D014227:Triazines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D018692:Antimanic Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018020:Lithium Compounds; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D014227:Triazines; D002220:Carbamazepine; D014635:Valproic Acid; D000077213:Lamotrigine
keywords: Database; International; Mood disorders; Patterns; Prescriptions; Psychotropic drugs