@article {Tsiropoulos:June 2006:0001-6314:405,
author = "Tsiropoulos, I.",
author = "Gichangi, A.",
author = "Andersen, M.",
author = "Bjerrum, L.",
author = "Gaist, D.",
author = "Hallas, J.",
title = "Trends in utilization of antiepileptic drugs in Denmark",
journal = "Acta Neurologica Scandinavica",
volume = "113",
year = "June 2006",
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.© Blackwell Munksgaard 2006. Objectives – 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.",
pages = "405-411(7)",
url = "http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/mksg/ane/2006/00000113/00000006/art00009"
doi = "doi:10.1111/j.1600-0404.2006.00639.x"
}