title: Use of psychotropic drugs in Lombardy in time of economic crisis (2007-2011): a population-based study of adult employees.
abstract: Over years, there has been an increase in the prescription of psychotropic drugs (PDs), particularly antidepressants (ADs). The aim of the study was to evaluate the consumption of PDs in adult employees in a productive area of Italy and the possible changes induced by the "economic crisis". The study is a retrospective survey in all adult employees in Lombardy, Northern Italy, aged >18 years in the period 2007-2011, classified by gender, age class, nationality, education and province. During the 5-year period, there were 3,554,860 employed adults in Lombardy, of whom 277,865 (7.8%) used PDs. The use of PDs (particularly ADs) was associated with being an Italian woman aged >55 years with a basic education, a blue collar job, and an unstable working position. In 39% of cases, the use of PDs was limited to one trimester. The increase in the number of prescriptions of PDs after the economic crisis was the same as before it. The increase in PD use can be attributed more to ADs and anti-epileptic drugs with anxiolytic properties. Although continuously increasing, the use of AD fluctuated and was greater during the fall and winter. The increase involved all the provinces in Lombardy in a similar manner.
authors: Department of Statistics, University of Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy.
authors: Giorgio
authors: G
authors: Vittadini
authors: Department of Mental Health, G.Salvini Hospital, Rho, Milan, Italy.
authors: Massimiliano
authors: M
authors: Beghi
authors: CRISP, University of Milano Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, 20052 Monza MB, Milan, Italy.
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Mezzanzanica
authors: CRISP, University of Milano Bicocca, Via Cadore 48, 20052 Monza MB, Milan, Italy.
authors: Gloria
authors: G
authors: Ronzoni
authors: Department of Surgery and Translational Medicine, University of Milano Bicocca, Milan, Italy; Forensic Psychiatric Hospital, Castiglione delle Stiviere, Mantua, Italy. Electronic address: cesaremaria.cornaggia@unimib.it.
authors: Cesare Maria
authors: CM
authors: Cornaggia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D057172:Economic Recession; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics; D012107:Research Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs
keywords: Antidepressants; Economic crisis; Prescription; Work