Nationwide utilization of antidepressants and anxiolytics during pandemic restrictions: results from the Trends in Drug Utilization During COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkey (PANDUTI-TR) study

Vizdiklar C., AYDIN V., Yilmaz H., AKICI A.

Family Practice, cilt.42, sa.5, 2025 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 42 Sayı: 5
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1093/fampra/cmaf072
  • Dergi Adı: Family Practice
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, ASSIA, CAB Abstracts, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Psycinfo
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: anxiety disorders, COVID-19 pandemic, drug utilization, mood disorders
  • Marmara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Background The prevalence of mental health disorders rose when the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was most pronounced, potentially altering the consumption of antidepressants and anxiolytics. We aimed to evaluate changes in antidepressant and anxiolytic utilization throughout the COVID-19 pandemic era. Methods Nationwide drug sales and prescribing data through 01.03.2018-31.12.2022 were sourced from IQVIA Turkey. We assessed mean monthly consumption and expenditure trends of antidepressants and anxiolytics, along with quarterly prescribing levels, across three periods: "before restrictions"(BfR, 01.03.2018-31.03.2020), "during restrictions"(DuR, 01.04.2020-31.03.2022), and "after restrictions"(AfR, 01.04.2022-31.12.2022), using "defined daily dose per 1000 inhabitants per day"(DID) measure. Results Antidepressant consumption escalated from 47.9 ± 4.3 DID in BfR to 56.2 ± 8.9 DID in DuR (P <. 001), reaching 60.5 ± 8.9 DID in AfR (P <. 001 vs. BfR). Anxiolytic use increased from 2.0 ± 0.3 DID in BfR to 2.5 ± 0.3 DID in DuR (P <. 001), and to 2.7 ± 0.3 DID in AfR (P <. 001 vs. BfR). Expenditure also rose in DuR and AfR for both drug groups (P <. 01). Prescribing trends for antidepressants decreased in DuR (P <. 001) and showed an insignificant rebound in AfR (P >. 05 vs. BfR and DuR), while anxiolytic prescribing surged in DuR (P =. 001 vs. BfR) and subsequently reverted in AfR (P >. 05 vs. BfR and DuR). These patterns were consistent across both new and ongoing users. Conclusions This study showed a sustained increase in the use of antidepressants and anxiolytics following the onset of pandemic despite fluctuations in prescribing, implying a heightened need for pharmacotherapy and greater burden of depressive and anxiety disorders, especially for the latter.