Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2019 Jun 24;19(1):196.
doi: 10.1186/s12888-019-2178-4.

Antidepressant prescription practice and related factors in Switzerland: a cross-sectional analysis of health claims data

Elisa Haller  1 , Birgit Watzke  2 , Eva Blozik  3 , Thomas Rosemann  4 , Oliver Reich  3 , Carola A Huber  3 , Markus Wolf  2
Affiliations

Antidepressant prescription practice and related factors in Switzerland: a cross-sectional analysis of health claims data

Elisa Haller et al. BMC Psychiatry. .

Abstract

Background: The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence of and factors associated with antidepressant (AD) prescriptions in order to draw a comprehensive picture of prescribing practices in Switzerland.

Method: We conducted a population-based, cross-sectional descriptive study using a large Swiss healthcare claims database, covering approximately 13% of the Swiss population. AD prescription was determined by identifying patients (N = 105,663) with health claims data of at least 1 AD prescription in the year 2016. AD medication was identified using ATC-codes classified by the World Health Organisation. Univariate, bivariate and multivariate analyses using logistic regression were performed.

Results: The extrapolated 1-year prevalence of AD prescription was 8.7% (95% CI, 8.7-8.8) with two thirds of AD recipients being female and the average age being 59 years (SD = 19.1). The regional distribution of prescription rates varied between cantons and ranged from 6.5 to 11.7%. Logistic regression revealed higher prescription rates among females compared to males (OR: 1.52) and an increased probability of AD prescription by age up until 54 years (OR: 2.25) and ≥ 85 years (OR: 2.32). Comorbidity is associated with higher odds (OR: 3.26 with 1-2 comorbidities) and enrollment in a managed care plan (compared to standard care) with lower odds for an AD prescription (OR: 0.85).

Conclusion: This study is the first in Switzerland to describe the prevalence of and factors associated with AD prescription based on a large health claims database reflecting routine care. The results provide important information about regional variation, prescription source, and potential over-prescription in the treatment of depressive disorders.

Keywords: Antidepressant prescription; Depression; Mental health care; Regional variation.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

CAH and EB are affiliated with the department of health sciences of the Helsana Insurance Group. Helsana provided the administrative data. On behalf of all other authors, the corresponding author declares that there is no conflict of interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Adjusted AD prescription rates by Swiss cantons in the year 2016. Copyright geodata Swiss Federal Statistical Office / swisstopo
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Benkert O, Hippius H, editors. Kompendium der Psychiatrischen Pharmakotherapie. 10. Berlin: Springer-Verlag; 2012.
    1. World Health Organization . The world health report 2001 - mental health: new understanding, new hope. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2001.
    1. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence . Depression in adults - the treatment and management of depression in adults. Manchester: NICE clinical guideline 90; 2009. - PubMed
    1. DGPPN B, KBV A, et al. für die Leitliniengruppe Unipolare Depression. Berlin: S3-Leitlinie/Nationale Versorgungsleitlinie Unipolare Depression; 2015.
    1. Pratt LA, Brody DJ, Gu Q. Antidepressant use in persons aged 12 and over: United States, 2005–2008 (NCHS data brief no. 76) U.S: Department of Health and Human Services; 2011. - PubMed

Substances