IngentaConnect Trends in utilization of antiepileptic drugs in Denmark

Authors: Tsiropoulos, I.; Gichangi, A.¹; Andersen, M.²; Bjerrum, L.²; Gaist, D.³; Hallas, J.

Source: Acta Neurologica Scandinavica, Volume 113, Number 6, June 2006 , pp. 405-411(7)

Abstract:

Tsiropoulos B, Gichangi A, Andersen M, Bjerrum L, Gaist D, Hallas J. Trends in utilization of antiepileptic drugs in Denmark. Acta Neurol Scand 2006: 113: 405–411.

To describe utilization of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in Denmark during 1993–2002, with special emphasis on oxcarbazepine, and to assess probable indications for AED use. Materials and methods –

We retrieved prescription data from Odense University Pharmacoepidemiological Database, in Funen County, Denmark (population in 2002: 472,869). Within each calendar year we estimated period prevalence, incidence rate and monotherapy rate. Based on co-medication we defined `epilepsy' when only AEDs were prescribed, `pain' with co-prescription of opioids, and `mood disorder' with co-prescription of antipsychotics or antidepressants. Results –

We identified 15,604 AED users. The prevalence of using AED increased from 9.3 (95% CI, 9–9.5) to 12.1 (11.8–12.4)/1000 persons. The incidence rate increased from 1.4 (1.3–1.6) to 1.7 (1.6–1.9)/1000 personyears. The monotherapy rate was 79–82%. AED use for `epilepsy' declined by 19.7%, whereas the proportion of `pain' and `mood disorder' treatment increased by 11.2% and 8.4% respectively. Conclusions –

Antiepileptic drug utilization increased during the study period, the increase probably caused by expanding use in areas other than epilepsy.

Keywords: anticonvulsants; antiepileptic drugs; epilepsy; prescription register; drug utilization

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.2006.00639.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Statistics, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark 2: Research Unit of General Practice, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark 3: Department of Neurology, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark

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