title: Trends in the dispensation of antidepressant drugs over the past decade (2000-2010) in Andalusia, Spain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study antidepressant drug dispensation in the Spanish region of Andalusia and in the Almeria Health Area (AHA) over the past decade, analyzing the variability, trends, and influential factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted an observational ecological study of antidepressant drug dispensation between 2000 and 2010 in Andalusia. Dispensation was measured as Defined Daily Dose (DDD) per 1,000 inhabitants per day. A multilevel analysis (STATA 11.1) was performed to determine the variability among the basic health zones (BHZs) (2004-2010) and influential factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between 2000 and 2010, the total dispensation of antidepressant drugs increased by more than 100 % in Andalusia and in the AHA. This increase was primarily caused by the greater dispensation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (ATC-N06AB) and other antidepressants (ATC-N06AX). Multilevel analysis revealed a wide variability in the levels and trends of antidepressant dispensation among BHZs. Urbanicity and the percentage of immigrants in the BHZ were negatively associated with their dispensation, which was positively influenced by a higher proportion of women and over 65-year-olds in the population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The elevated dispensation of several groups of antidepressant drugs in this study population indicates the need for health policies to rationalize their use. Further research is required into the differences in antidepressant dispensations between immigrant and native populations and the implications for public health policies.
authors.affiliation: Pharmaceutical Health District of Almería, Almería, Spain.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: González-López
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-López
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Parrón-Carreño
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Luna
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Del Pozo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000639:trends*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors