Patterns of Antidepressant and Anxiolytic Use and Spending in 14 European Countries (2012-2021): A Comprehensive Time Series Analysis.

Background: The assessment of antidepressant and anxiolytic consumption and expenditures represents a reliable barometer of the burden of such mental health disorders and the effectiveness of relative healthcare services.

Objectives: The current analysis aims to evaluate trajectories of consumption and expenditures of antidepressant and anxiolytic drugs to define patterns of usage and spending across 14 European countries between 2012 and 2021.

Methods: A retrospective longitudinal study was performed based on pooled time series secondary data analysis over 2012/2021. Defined Daily Doses (DDD) per 1000 inhabitants and health expenditure per capita were analysed. Linear and quadratic trends were computed to determine relationships between the variables of interest.

Results: Only 2 patterns of consumption/expenditure of antidepressants can be identified: consumption and expenditure both grow; consumption grows, and spending decreases. Consumption and expenditures registered 2 main patterns, decreasing in most European countries and increasing only in 2 cases.

Conclusion: Prevailing patterns of consumption and spending show an increase in antidepressants and a decrease in anxiolytics. The variation in consumption of such drugs during this timeframe is attributable to several reasons, such as the epidemiological characteristics of mental disease, for instance, the prevalence and incidence of disorders, the accessibility of drugs and alternative treatments, like psychotherapy, different clinical practices and national guidelines. However, such analyses deserve attention for targeted policies and strategies for promoting mental health.