Abstract
Antidepressants are considered driving-impairing medicines (DIM). This is a population-based registry study that shows the trend in the use of antidepressants in Castile and León, Spain, from 2015 to 2018. Data on antidepressant dispensations at pharmacies and the adjusted use of these medicines by the driver population are presented. For the purposes of analysis, population distribution by age and gender has been taken into account, as well as the three Driving Under the Influence of Drugs, alcohol, and medicines (DRUID) categories. Antidepressants were used by 8.56% of the general population and 5.66% of drivers. Antidepressants were used more commonly by females than by males (12.12% vs. 4.87%, χ² = 1325.124, p = 0.001), and users increased as the age increased, even if women who drive used less antidepressants after turning 60 years of age. Chronic use of antidepressants was relevant (8.28%) in the same way as daily use (3.15%). Most of the consumption included SSRIs (4.99%), which are also known as “other antidepressants” (3.71%). Regardless of antidepressants consumed, users took 2.75 ± 1.19 DIMs, which are mainly anxiolytics (58.80%) and opioids (26.43%). Lastly, regarding consumption of antidepressants according to the DRUID classification, category I predominated over categories II and III. Our findings should serve as a starting point for health and traffic authorities to raise awareness of the risk for traffic accidents, especially involving SSRIs.
Highlights
Depression causes severe disabilities in the occupational and social life of patients [1] and it is currently recognized as a global public health concern [2]
The increase in the prevalence of antidepressant use is consistent with other national data and comparable with those obtained in other European countries: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the “other antidepressants” (ATC subgroup N06AX) were the most consumed [21,22,23]
SSRIs were consumed by a considerable proportion of the population, even if risk of using these medicines may be greater into the firsts days of use
Summary
Depression causes severe disabilities in the occupational and social life of patients [1] and it is currently recognized as a global public health concern [2]. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), major depressive disorder will become the second leading cause of disability around the world in 2030 [2]. Depression is characterized by loss of energy and cognitive impairment of the patient [5], and it is associated with lethargy and sleep disturbances, which affect daily functions [6], including the fitness to drive [7]. Mobility is fundamental for the independence of the individual in society today [8], and different studies indicate that 80% of patients with depression have a valid driver’s license and 70% drive regularly [9]. The objective of pharmacological treatment with antidepressants is long-term remission of symptoms and improved daily activity of patients [8], antidepressants can affect the safety of driving [9,10]
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