The use of antidepressants and introduction of new types in different socio-economic groups

Background: Danish registry-based studies have found socio-economic differences in drug use. The extent to which the use of antidepressants differs between socio-economic groups is unknown. Aim: 1) to examine the association between socio-economic status (SES) and use of antidepressants 2) to evaluate the introduction of new types of antidepressants. Methods: A registry-based cross-sectional study linking information from administrative registries in North Jutland County, Denmark, 1995–99. Main outcome measures: 1) the prevalence proportion for use of antidepressants in different SES groups and by sex, and the estimated prevalence proportion ratio; 2) the proportion using the new drugs in different socio-economic groups through the study period. Results: Women used antidepressants more than twice as often as men with an increasing tendency for both men and women. The use of antidepressants was highest in persons outside the labour market. Among employees, the proportion using new types of antidepressants increased from 1% to 18%. High SES seemed to correlate to higher use of new antidepressants. The new antidepressants were introduced faster among men compared with women. Conclusion: The study showed differences in purchase of antidepressants in different SES groups. Furthermore, it showed faster introduction of new antidepressants among men and employees with high SES.