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Consumption of Psychiatric Drugs in Primary Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • María del Carmen González-López

    (Primary Health Care District of Almeria, Andalusian Health Service, 04006 Almeria, Spain)

  • Virginia Díaz-Calvo

    (Primary Health Care District of Almeria, Andalusian Health Service, 04006 Almeria, Spain)

  • Carlos Ruíz-González

    (Primary Health Care District of Almeria, Andalusian Health Service, 04006 Almeria, Spain)

  • Bruno José Nievas-Soriano

    (Department of Nursing Science, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almería, 04006 Almeria, Spain)

  • Belén Rebollo-Lavado

    (Neurology Department, Badajoz Universitary Hospital, 06080 Badajoz, Spain)

  • Tesifón Parrón-Carreño

    (Department of Nursing Science, Physiotherapy and Medicine, University of Almería, 04006 Almeria, Spain)

Abstract

Background: The main objective of this research was to analyze whether there were changes in the use of antidepressants, anxiolytics, and hypnotic-sedative drugs, in the context of primary health care, during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period. We further sought to study consumption in vulnerable population groups. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was performed in a primary health district of Spain. The data were obtained from the Andalusian Public Health System database, for the pre-COVID-19 period, from March 2019 to February 2020, and for the COVID-19 period, from March 2020 to February 2021. Univariant and bivariant analyses were performed. The effect size was measured using the Rosenthal test. Results: While the total number of medical prescriptions decreased by 2.5% in the COVID-19 period, the prescriptions of psychiatric drugs increased by 6.1%. The increase in the dose consumption per 1000 inhabitants (DHD) was highest for anxiolytics (7.2%), followed by hypnotic-sedatives (5.6%) and antidepressants (3.7%). The consumption of antidepressants, anxiolytics, and sedative-hypnotic drugs was higher in women, older people, and rural areas and lower in areas with social transformation needs, with these differences being statistically significant. Conclusions: The consumption of psychiatric drugs has increased over the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in women, older people, and rural areas. Thus, we should reflect on the adequate use of these drugs.

Suggested Citation

  • María del Carmen González-López & Virginia Díaz-Calvo & Carlos Ruíz-González & Bruno José Nievas-Soriano & Belén Rebollo-Lavado & Tesifón Parrón-Carreño, 2022. "Consumption of Psychiatric Drugs in Primary Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-12, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:8:p:4782-:d:794267
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Miryam Sánchez Díaz & María Luisa Martín-Calvo & Ramona Mateos-Campos, 2021. "Trends in the Use of Anxiolytics in Castile and Leon, Spain, between 2015–2020: Evaluating the Impact of COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-10, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mateusz Babicki, 2022. "Use of Alcohol, Cannabinoids, Psychostimulants, and Sedatives before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic among Students in 40 European Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-9, November.

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