Prevalence Of Antidepressant Use Research Articles

Trends in the use of antidepressants among older adults: Bambuí Project.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the trends and factors associated with the antidepressant use among older adults.METHODSThis population-based study evaluated older adults in 1997 (n = 351, baseline) and the survivors at the 15th follow-up year (n = 462, in 2012) among the aging cohort of Bambuí. The prevalence of antidepressant use was estimated, and the most commonly used antidepressants each year were identified. Prevalence ratios with 95% confidence intervals were estimated using Poisson regression with robust variance to investigate differences in the prevalence of use between 1997 and 2012.RESULTSThe overall consumption of antidepressants (PR = 2.87, 95%CI 1.94;4.25) and of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (PR = 7.50, 95%CI 3.74;15.02) was significantly higher in 2012. However, no significant difference was observed in the use of tricyclic antidepressants between the two cohorts (PR = 0.89, 95%CI 0.49;1.62). In the 2012 cohort, antidepressant use was associated with females, increased age, increased income (≥ 4 minimum wages), self-assessment of health as reasonable, and attending ≥ 5 medical consultations in the last 12 months.CONCLUSIONSThe increased consumption of antidepressants in the period due to increased use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors was consistent with results observed in international studies of different population groups and contexts. The positive correlation observed between antidepressant use and family income may be a warning of possible inequalities in access to mental health services.

Use of antidepressants among community-dwelling persons with Alzheimer's disease: a nationwide register-based study.

Antidepressants are used to treat depression and behavioral symptoms in Alzheimer's disease (AD), although their effectiveness has been questioned and evidence about the risks is accumulating. The objective of this study was to compare antidepressant use among persons with and without AD in Finland. The Social Insurance Institution of Finland (SII) identified all persons with a verified diagnosis of AD in Finland on December 31, 2005. For each person with AD a comparison person matched for age, sex and region of residence was also identified. Data on reimbursed drug purchases in 2005 were extracted from the Finnish National Prescription Register (FNPR). Conditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for antidepressant use. The study sample comprised of 28,089 matched pairs of persons with and without AD (mean age 80.0 SD 6.8, 32.2% men).The prevalence of antidepressant use was higher among persons with AD than without AD (29.4% vs. 10.7%, OR = 3.54; 95% CI: 3.38, 3.70). Among the persons with AD, the prevalence of antidepressant use increased with time since AD diagnosis but not with age. Overall, 90.4% of antidepressant users with AD were co-dispensed anti-dementia drugs. The antidepressant use was three times more prevalent among persons with AD compared to those without. Though the antidepressant selection was largely consistent with clinical practice guidelines, the high prevalence of use warrants further investigation given the uncertain effectiveness and adverse events related to these drugs.

Utilization patterns of antidepressants between 1991 and 2011 in a population-based cohort of middle-aged and elderly

In middle-aged and older patients in whom antidepressant use increased in last decades, patterns of use might be of concern The objective of this study was to investigate the patterns of prevalence, incidence and duration of antidepressant use in an ageing population. All participants (aged>45 years) from the population-based Rotterdam Study were followed from January 1st 1991 until death, loss to follow-up, or end of the study period (December 31st 2011). Antidepressant drug dispensing, based on pharmacy records, were subdivided into Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs), Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and other antidepressants. One-year prevalence, 5-year incidence and duration of antidepressant use were calculated. Yearly prevalence of antidepressant use increased from 3.9% in 1991 to 8.3% of the population in 2011. The increase in SSRI use was 5.8-fold, whereas use of other antidepressants doubled and TCA use remained stable over time. Incidence of all antidepressants decreased from 23.9 to 14.2 per 1000 person-years between 1992 and 2011. The duration of a first treatment episode increased over time. Despite the prevalence of antidepressant use increased over time, incidence did not, which is most likely explained by a longer treatment duration and recurrent episodes.

Abstract P286: The Prevalence of Comorbid Depression & Diabetes across Racial/Ethnic Backgrounds: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Study

Background: Depression, both diagnosed and based on elevated symptom scores, is highly prevalent in individuals with Type II Diabetes (T2DM). Depression predisposes individuals to poorer glycemic control, higher rates of T2DM complications and elevated mortality. African Americans and Hispanics are less likely to be diagnosed with depression than non-Hispanic whites; however, prevalence studies in the general (i.e., non-diabetic) population report that rates of elevated depressive symptoms are similar across race/ethnic groups. Objective: To calculate the age-adjusted prevalence of comorbid depression and Type II Diabetes by race/ethnicity and to investigate whether the patterns vary according to treatment of depression or elevated depressive symptoms (EDS). We hypothesize that racial/ethnic differences in depression among adults with diabetes will vary according to whether depression is treated or based on elevated depressive symptoms. Methods: Participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study (2005-2010) classified as White (n=459), Black (n=250), Mexican American (n=233), or “Other Racial/Ethnic Background” (n=149) and had T2DM (i.e., fasting glucose >=126, clinician diagnosis, or diabetic medication use) and responses to current prescription drug use and depression syndrome measures were included in the analysis (n=1,091, Mean age=48.2 year). Undiagnosed depression was determined by an elevated depressive symptoms (EDS) score => 10 on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and no report of current antidepressant use. Treatment for depression was determined by self-reported current antidepressant use (e.g., SSRI, MAOI, and TCA). Weighted age-adjusted prevalence rates of depression among adults who have diabetes were stratified by race/ethnic background. Results: Twelve percent used antidepressants and 7% of the sample had EDS without antidepressant use. The age-adjusted prevalence of antidepressant use among adults with diabetes was higher in Whites (16%, 95% CI: 9%, 22%) than Black (9%, 95% CI: 3%, 15%), Mexican Americans (5%, 95% CI: 3%, 8%), and “Others” (6%, 95% CI: 1%, 10%). These prevalence estimates remained significantly different after adjusting for healthcare provider and income. The prevalence of EDS among adults with diabetes was not significantly different across race/ethnic background groups (Whites- 5%, 95% CI: 3%, 8%; Blacks- 8%, 95% CI: 2%, 13%; Mexican Americans- 8%, 95% CI: 3%, 13%; “Others”- 8%, 95% CI %, 14%). The prevalence estimates of EDS and antidepressants by race/ethnic group did not vary by gender. Conclusions: Although African Americans and Mexican-Americans with diabetes were as likely to experience EDS, they were less likely to have to be treated for depression. These findings highlight the importance of screening for both treated depression and EDS in individuals who have Type II Diabetes.

Antidepressant use among persons with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis: a nationwide register-based study in Finland

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate antidepressant use in a nationwide cohort of persons with incident rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in 2000–2007 in Finland.Method: Register data from the Social Insurance Institution of Finland were used to evaluate antidepressant use in ≥ 50-year-old incident RA patients (n = 10 356) and the same-age general population.Results: Of the RA patients, 10.0% (n = 1034) had used antidepressants during the year preceding RA diagnosis. The cumulative incidence of antidepressant initiations after RA diagnosis was 11.4% [95% confidence interval (CI) 10.0–12.9] for men and 16.2% (95% CI 14.9–17.5) for women at the end of follow-up (mean 4.4 years). Female gender [age-adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1.39, 95% CI 1.21–1.60] and increasing number of comorbidities (p for linearity < 0.001) predicted antidepressant initiations. In the last follow-up year, antidepressant use was at the same level among men with RA [prevalence rate ratio (PRR) 0.93, 95% CI 0.82–1.06] but lower among women (PRR 0.89, 95% CI 0.83–0.95) when compared to the general population.Conclusions: Antidepressant initiations in early RA were associated with female gender and comorbidity. Although depression is stated to be a sizeable problem in RA, the prevalence of antidepressant use did not exceed the population level.

Long-term trend in pediatric antidepressant use, 1983-2007: a population-based study.

Research is needed to clarify and improve our understanding of appropriateness and safety issues concerning antidepressant (AD) treatment. We explored the long-term trend in the dispensing of pediatric ADs using provincial, population-based data from Canada. Data covering 22 ADs were drawn from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health administrative data files in outpatient settings. The data were for 9 triennial years from 1983 to 2007, a 24-year period, for those aged 0 to 19 in the general population. Descriptive analyses were used. In 1983, 5.9 per 1000 population aged 0 to 19 were dispensed at least 1 AD; this decreased to 5.1 per 1000 population in 1989, and then increased to 15.4 per 1000 population in 2007, with a slower increase after 2004. Both sexes were dispensed more ADs from 1989 onwards, with females being the heavier users. The rate of AD use increased significantly with age, and this trend became more pronounced after 1998. Family physicians were the major prescribers and their prescriptions significantly increased from 1989 to 2004 and decreased in 2007. The use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) was the major reason for the increase. The number of AD scripts per patient also increased. The growth in the prevalence of AD use among children and youth was largely caused by the use of SSRIs. The possibility of safety issues induced by AD use among children and adolescents, and different patterns of medication practice, suggest continuing education is warranted.

Excess risk of hip fractures attributable to the use of antidepressants in five European countries and the USA

The association between antidepressant use and hip fracture remains unclear. We conducted a systematic review to estimate Population Attributable Risks (PAR) for France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, and the USA. We report a heterogeneous prevalence of antidepressant use and related PARs, both lowest for Italy and highest for the USA. Antidepressant use has been associated with an increased hip fracture risk in observational studies. However, the potential contribution of antidepressant consumption on the population rate of hip fractures has not been described. Our aim was to estimate the impact of the use of different classes of antidepressants on the rate of hip fracture at a population-level in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, and the USA. We conducted a systematic literature review to estimate the pooled relative risk (RR) of hip fracture according to use of antidepressants. Prevalence rates of antidepressant use (Pe) in 2009 were calculated for each country using the The Intercontinental Medical Statistics database and three public databases from Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway. Both the RR and Pe were used to calculate PAR of hip fractures associated with antidepressant use. The literature review showed an increased risk of hip fractures in antidepressant users (RR, 1.7; 95 % confidence interval (CI), 1.5-2.0). Rates of antidepressant use showed considerable differences between countries, ranging from 4.4 % (Italy) to 11.2 % (USA) in the year 2009. The estimated PAR of antidepressants on hip fracture rates were 3.0 % (95 % CI, 2.0-4.1; Italy), 3.1 % (95 % CI, 2.1-4.3; Germany), 3.8 % (95 % CI, 2.6-5.3; France), 4.8 % (95 % CI, 3.3-6.5; Spain), 4.9 % (95 % CI, 3.4-6.8; UK), and 7.2 % (95 % CI, 5.0-9.9; USA). PARs differed for different types of antidepressants, with highest attributable risks for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. These findings suggest that the potential contribution of antidepressant use to the population rate of hip fractures in the five large EU countries and the USA varies between 3 and 7 %.

National Trends in Long-Term Use of Antidepressant Medications

To assess the trend in long-term use of antidepressants by persons aged ≥ 18 years, and the correlates of such use, in the United States from 1999 to 2010. We examined trends in duration of antidepressant use and correlates of long-term use in data from 6 waves of the cross-sectional National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (N = 35,379), a representative survey of the general population. The overall prevalence of antidepressant use increased from 6.5% in 1999-2000 to 10.4% in 2009-2010 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.54; 95% CI, 1.31-1.81; P < .001). This included an increase from 3.0% to 6.9% in long-term use (≥ 24 months; OR = 2.12; 95% CI, 1.75-2.57; P < .001). Medium-term (6 to < 24 months; from 1.3% to 1.6%) and short-term use (< 6 months; from 2.2% to 1.8%) of antidepressants did not change appreciably in this period. The increasing trend in long-term antidepressant use was limited to adults who received their care from general medical providers (adjusted OR = 3.86; 95% CI, 2.57-5.80; P < .001). From 1999 to 2010, there was a marked increase in long-term use of antidepressant medications in the United States, explaining the overall increasing trend in antidepressant use. This trend calls for greater vigilance in prescribing antidepressants for long periods of time.

THU0524 Antidepressant use among Persons with Recent-Onset Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Nationwide Register-Based Study in Finland

BackgroundDepression is a sizeable problem in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but data on the antidepressant use is sparse.ObjectivesTo investigate antidepressant initiations and the prevalence of antidepressant use among persons with recent-onset...

Relapse of Major Depression in Women Who Continue or Discontinue Antidepressant Medication During Pregnancy

Relapse of Major Depression in Women Who Continue or Discontinue Antidepressant Medication During Pregnancy

Antidepressant Prescription Medication Use Patterns among Insured, Low Income Pregnant Women

Despite of the controversy of antidepressant use during the gestational period, the reported antidepressant use at any time during pregnancy has increased. Our study assessed antidepressant prescription medication use patterns during pregnancy among insured, low-income women in the United States. This retrospective study used South Carolina Medicaid claims data (2004-2009). Included were pregnant women (≥ 18 years) with single or multiparous live birth(s) with a diagnosis for major depression or reported pharmacy claims for antidepressant prescriptions 1 year before becoming pregnant or while pregnant. Antidepressant prevalence prior to and during pregnancy, type of antidepressant, and trimester when the antidepressant use started, characterized antidepressant prescription use patterns. Among 24,077 pregnant women with live births, the prevalence of antidepressant use before becoming pregnant and during pregnancy was 5.5% and 6% respectively. A total of 3,237 pregnant women met inclusion criteria. Of the 1,456 women prescribed antidepressants during pregnancy, 16% showed a history of major depression predating their pregnancy and 67% initiated antidepressant medications after becoming pregnant. Nearly 80% took selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) during pregnancy, and 32% initiated antidepressants during the first trimester. Age, race, and preexisting depression were associated with antidepressant use. In pregnant, insured low-income women, the majority prescribed antidepressants were new users. Pharmacologic treatment for pregnant women with depressive symptoms, particularly in newly diagnosed major depression remains challenging.

Prevalence of Antidepressant Use during Pregnancy in Denmark, a Nation-Wide Cohort Study

AimThe aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and patterns of exposure to antidepressants before, during and after pregnancy in a cohort including all pregnant women in Denmark between 1997 and 2010.MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort study including 912 322 pregnancies. Information was retrieved from the Danish Birth Registry and The Register of Medicinal Product Statistics to identify women redeeming an antidepressant prescription during pregnancy. Exposure periods were based on standard treatment doses and dispensed pack sizes.ResultsWe identified 19 740 pregnancies exposed to an antidepressant at some point during pregnancy. The rate of exposure increased from 0.2% in 1997 to 3.2% in 2010. We found that the rate of exposure was halved during the first 3 months of pregnancy. In contrast, we describe a clear increase in exposure after pregnancy among pre-delivery treatment-naïve women.ConclusionsIn spite of uncertainty concerning antidepressants’ safety during pregnancy we find a 16-fold increase in exposure rates between 1997 and 2010. The rates describe a sharp decrease in exposure during pregnancy that is probably caused by physicians’ hesitation to prescribe antidepressants and women’s fear of unwanted effects on the unborn child. More studies are needed to clarify the consequences of antidepressant discontinuation during pregnancy.

Anti‐depressant use during pregnancy in Australia: findings from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children

Increasing awareness among health professionals and detection of antenatal and postnatal depression has resulted in sharp increases in the prescription of anti-depressant medication in pregnancy. The literature on effects on the newborn of antenatal anti-depressant exposure raises a number of questions about the safety of such prescription practices including findings of increased birth complications, lower gestational age and lowered birth weights resulting from prenatal exposure. This letter aims to provide information on the prevalence of anti-depressant use in Australia and the characteristics of mothers who take anti-depressants during pregnancy.

Antidepressant use and associations with psychosocial work characteristics. A comparative study of Swedish and Danish gainfully employed

BackgroundAlthough depression is common, prevalence estimates of antidepressant use among the workforce and undisputed evidence relating psychosocial work characteristics to depression is scarce. This study cross-sectionally assesses the prevalence of antidepressant use among employed in Sweden and Denmark and prospectively examines associations between work characteristics and antidepressant use. MethodsData on work demands, influence and learning possibilities was collected 2005–2006 from two representative samples of employed aged 20–59 years from Sweden (n=4351) and Denmark (n=8064) and linked to purchases of antidepressants through national prescription drug registries. Standardized 12-month prevalences were calculated. Cox regressions on work characteristics and incident use were performed separately and estimates pooled. ResultsEmployed Swedish residents had higher standardized prevalence than Danish, 6.0% compared to 5.0%. Working fast and conflicting demands were associated with incident use when estimates were pooled, but adjustment for baseline health attenuated these estimates. Emotionally disturbing situations were related to any incident use, and more strongly to use >179 defined daily dosages/year, even after adjustment for various covariates. LimitationsStatistics based on national prescription drug registries are influenced by, e.g., treatment seeking behaviours and other reasons for prescription than depression. Selective drop-out may also affect prevalence estimates. ConclusionsThe study indicates that use of antidepressants among the workforce is relatively high and that employed Swedish residents had higher prevalence of antidepressant use than Danish. Relationships between work characteristics and antidepressant use were, however, similar with emotional demands showing the strongest association, indicating that particular groups of employees may be at increased risk.

The prevalence of antidepressant use by women undergoing IVF

The prevalence of antidepressant use by women undergoing IVF

Utilization of antidepressants in Taiwan: a nationwide population‐based survey from 2000 to 2009

This study examined trends in antidepressant utilization in Taiwan between 2000 and 2009. We collected data from the National Health Insurance Research Database of all incident antidepressant use. We described the incidence, prevalence, and therapeutic indications of antidepressant use. We tested the trends by using logistic regression analyses with adjustment for age and sex. Overall, the prevalence of antidepressant use per 1000 persons increased from 32.1 in 2000 to 46.3 in 2009; however, the incidence per 1000 persons declined from 20.8 in 2000 to 16.5 in 2009. For antidepressant classes, the prescriptions of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other new agents increased during the study periods; however, the use of tricyclic antidepressants, trazodone, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors declined. For therapeutic indications, we found increasing trends of antidepressant use for sleep and adjustment disorders; however, the rates of antidepressant use for mood disorder, anxiety disorders, and non-psychiatric conditions decreased. Regarding the new use of antidepressants in Taiwan between 2000 and 2009, we found that the decreased incidence of antidepressant use might be attributed mainly to the decreased use of tricyclic antidepressants and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Decreased use among middle-aged and older persons and fewer antidepressant prescriptions for non-psychiatric conditions were also noted.

Prescription of antidepressants to patients on opioid maintenance therapy – a pharmacoepidemiological study

Background and aims: Depression and anxiety are commonly reported among patients in opioid maintenance treatment (OMT). The aim of the present study was to describe aspects of prescription of antidepresant drug therapy among patients on OMT. Our research questions were: 1) What is the prevalence of antidepressant use according to age and gender? 2) Which antidepressants are used? 3) How are antidepressants used in terms of reimbursement codes, dispensed dose and duration of therapy?Methods: Pharmacoepidemiological data were retrieved from the complete national Norwegian Prescription Database which contains information on all prescription drugs (such as Anatomical Theraputical Chemical (ATC)-code, Defined Daily Dose (DDDs)), dispensed at pharmacies to individual patients. Norwegian OMT-patients (N=4374, 3035 men and 1339 women) who received methadone mixture, buprenorphine capsules or combined buprenorphine-naloxone capsules for at least 6 months in 2009 were included. Prevalence of antidepressant use in the studied patients was measured in terms of retrieval of prescriptions.Results: During 2009 21.7% of the studied patients filled at least one prescription for an antidepressant drugs (men: 21.2%; women: 22.9%). The subgroup of antidepressants most frequently dispensed was selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (33%), followed by the sedative antidepressants mianserin and mirtazapin (22%) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) (20%). Except for TCAs, prescriptions of all antidepressant subgroups were reimbursed for either anxiety or depression in 90% of the cases. Overall, 46.9% of the antidepressant users were prescribed antidepressants in the category &lt; 1 DDD per day and/or treatment &lt; 3 months, with no gender difference.Conclusions: About one out of five OMT-patients filled a prescription for an antidepressant drug in 2009. Above 90% had their prescriptions reimbursed for either depression or anxiety. Use at low doses and/or sporadic use among half of the antidepressant users may reflect poor compliance or use for other maladies than the reimbursed disease code. Drug therapy for depression and anxiety among OMT-patients seems to be in line with recommendations for use; the SSRIs constitute the recommended drugs of choice due to their better effect/side effect profile, compared to the older antidepressants such as the TCAs.

Prevalence of antidepressant use and contacts with psychiatrists and psychologists in pregnant and postpartum women

We aimed to study prevalence of antidepressant drug use from 12 months prior childbirth to 12 months postpartum and to compare the prevalences with those in a group of women of similar age who did not give birth. We additionally studied prevalences of contacts with private practicing psychiatrists and psychologists during a similar time period. Our study population comprised of pregnant women, and their controls were drawn from a 25% sample of the entire Danish population. Information on redeemed prescriptions for antidepressants and referrals to psychiatrists and psychologists was extracted. The outcome measure was period prevalence calculated in 3-month intervals from 12 months before childbirth to 12 months postpartum. In the 2-year observation period around childbirth, 2733 (3.17%) women had one or more prescriptions for an antidepressant and 935 (1.18%) and 1399 (1.76%) were referred to consultations with a psychiatrist or psychologist, respectively. Women giving birth had a markedly lower use of antidepressants compared to controls, with the largest observed difference during third trimester of pregnancy (0.6% vs. 2.20%). We found that the prevalence of redeemed prescriptions for antidepressants decreased during pregnancy and increased postpartum. Similar patterns were observed for contacts with private practicing psychiatrists and psychologists.

Prevalence of Antidepressant Prescription or Use in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome: A Systematic Review

Background and ObjectivesDepression is common among acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients and is associated with poor prognosis. Cardiac side effects of older antidepressants were well-known, but newer antidepressants are generally thought of as safe to use in patients with heart disease. The objective was to assess rates of antidepressant use or prescription to patients within a year of an ACS.MethodsPubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL databases searched through May 29, 2009; manual searching of 33 journals from May 2009 to September 2010. Articles in any language were included if they reported point or period prevalence of antidepressant use or prescription in the 12 months prior or subsequent to an ACS for ≥100 patients. Two investigators independently selected studies for inclusion/exclusion and extracted methodological characteristics and outcomes from included studies (study setting, inclusion/exclusion criteria, sample size, prevalence of antidepressant prescription/use, method of assessing antidepressant prescription/use, time period of assessment).ResultsA total of 24 articles were included. The majority were from North America and Europe, and most utilized chart review or self-report to assess antidepressant use or prescription. Although there was substantial heterogeneity in results, overall, rates of antidepressant use or prescription increased from less than 5% prior to 1995 to 10–15% after 2000. In general, studies from North America reported substantially higher rates than studies from Europe, approximately 5% higher among studies that used chart or self-report data.ConclusionsAntidepressant use or prescription has increased considerably, and by 2005 approximately 10% to 15% of ACS patients were prescribed or using one of these drugs.

Use of antidepressants among 0-26 year olds in Finland during 1997-2007

Background and Objectives: The use of antidepressants has increased in many Western countries among children, adolescents and young adults. The objective of this study was to analyse changes in incidence and prevalence of antidepressant use among patients aged 0 to 26 years from year 1997 to 2007. Methods: This is an observational population-based drug utilization study using a nationwide prescription register including data on reimbursed purchases of antidepressants for outpatient use. Results: The incidence and prevalence of antidepressant use increased about three fold during the study period. Among children less than 14 years of age both incidence and prevalence were low during the study period. In the age group 14-26 years, the incidence increased from 6.4 to 16.1 (per 1000 person-years) among men and from 9.7 to 28.3 among women, while the prevalence went up from 10.4 to 30.4 among men and from 15.5 to 56.8 among women. By the age of 26 years, 11.6% of men and 17.8% of women had purchased antidepressants at least once. The first antidepressant prescriptions were mainly prescribed by a specialist for children aged 7 to 15 years and by a non-specialist for the older age groups. USE OF ANTIDEPRESSANTS AMONG 0-26 YEAR OLDS IN FINLAND DURING 1997-2007 165