Use of antidepressants during COVID19 outbreak: a real-world drug-utilization study

Abstract Background Lockdown measures implementation (LMI) to prevent COVID19 disease diffusion was associated increased depression and anxiety cases. The main aim evaluate whether LMI affected prevalence incidence of antidepressants (ADs) use, ADs treatment interruption (TI) in the general population. Methods Adults (≥18 years) with at least 1 dispensing between 01/01/2019-26/09/2020 were selected from a regional Italian healthcare administrative database. Patients presenting an AD year preceding first observation considered as prevalent otherwise incident users. We divided studied period into 3 parts: pre-lockdown (01/01/2019-08/03/2020), lockdown (09/03/2020-14/06/2020) post-lockdown (15/06/2020-27/09/2020). weekly (WP) (WI) per 10,000 inhabitants compared among periods. Incidence TI (no refill within 30 days end its validity) computed Results WP (mean 552.3 vs 505.5 phase; relative change: -9%) WI (5.2 3.7; -29%) use decreased after LMI. During phase (505.5 495.9; -2%) whereas (3.7 4.3; 16%) slightly relation period, although differences not statistically significant. Conversely, during (344.7 384.3; 12%) (384.3 394.2; 3%) periods, even always Conclusions Our analysis showed reduction early lockdown. Several factors might have impacted on observed phenomenon (i.e, patient reluctance start new treatment). Considering mutation virus potential waves that occur next months, continuous monitoring impact mental diseases onset adherence are suggested. Key messages In Italy, followed by though evidences diagnoses psychiatric disorders increased. Future studies should monitor if these phenomena led increase adverse events potentially correlated inappropriate depression.