[Trends of use of anxiolytics and hypnotics in Spain from 2000 to 2011]. / Evolución del uso de medicamentos ansiolíticos e hipnóticos en España durante el período 2000-2011.

BACKGROUND: For years, anxiolytics and hypnotics have been one of the most prescribed drug classes in most developed countries. The main aim of this study is to explore the pattern of use of anxiolytic and hypnotic drugs during the period 2000-2011, comparing their growth with that of five european countries. METHOD: We performed an ecological and descriptive study of anxiolytics and hypnotics consumption in Spain. Consumption data were obtained from the databases of medications dispensed in community pharmacies and charged through official prescriptions to the totality of the Spanish National Health System. Annual and total-period consumptions were expressed in defined daily doses (DDD) per 1000 inhabitants per day (DDD/1000 person/day) by each treatment subgroup, active substance and attending the plasma half-life of the medication. Approximate comparisons were also made with some European countries. RESULTS: The use of anxiolytics and hypnotics drugs was 56.7 DDD/1000 person/day in 2000 and 82.9 DDD/1000 person/day in 2011 (a +46.1% increase across the period). Lorazepam and alprazolam were the most used anxiolytics (20.5 and 15.6 DDD/1000 person/day in 2011, respectively), whereas lormetazepam was among the hypnotics (18.3 DDD/1000 person/day in 2011). In relative terms, hypnotics´ lormetazepam and zolpidem increased their use by 103.3% and 85.1%, respectively; while anxiolytics´ lorazepam and hydroxyzine increased 75.1% and 72.8%, respectively. In Spain (period 2003-2010), the total increase in the consumption of anxiolytics and hypnotics was +34.3%, with 24.0% for Portugal, 4.0% for Italy, but a reduction of -6.1% for France. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable increase in anxiolytics and hypnotics´ consumption has occurred in Spain during the last decade, being the growth higher than that reported in other European countries.

Evolución del uso de medicamentos ansiolíticos e hipnóticos en España durante el período 2000-2011 / Trends of use of anxiolytics and hypnotics in Spain from 2000 to 2011

Fundamentos: Los ansiolíticos y los hipnóticos han sido durante años uno de los grupos farmacológicos más prescritos en la mayoría de países desarrollados. El objetivo principal del presente trabajo fue explorar el patrón de uso de ansiolíticos e hipnóticos en España durante el período 2000-2011 y comparar su incremento con el de cinco países europeos. Método: Estudio ecológico descriptivo del consumo en España a partir de datos de medicamentos dispensados en oficina de farmacia y facturados a través de receta oficial con cargo al Sistema Nacional de Salud. El consumo anual y total se expresó en dosis diarias definidas por 1.000 habitantes y día (DDD/1.000 hab/día) en cada subgrupo terapéutico, principio activo y atendiendo a la semivida plasmática. También se establecieron comparaciones aproximativas con otros países. Resultados: El uso de ansiolíticos e hipnóticos fue de 56,7 DDD/1.000 hab/día en el año 2000 y 82,9 DDD/1.000 hab/día en el año 2011 (incremento del 46,1% en el período). Lorazepam y alprazolam fueron los ansiolíticos más consumidos (20,5 y 15,6 DDD/1.000 hab/día en 2011, respectivamente), mientras que lormetazepam lo fue del grupo de los hipnóticos (18,3 DDD/1.000 hab./día en 2011). En términos relativos, lormetazepam y zolpidem fueron los hipnóticos que más incrementaron su uso (103,3% y 85,1%, respectivamente) mientras que lorazepam e hidroxicina lo fueron entre los ansiolíticos (75,1% y 72,8%, respectivamente). En España (período 2003- 2010), el incremento total en el consumo de ansiolíticos e hipnóticos fue de +34,3%, siendo del +24,0% para Portugal, +4,0% para Italia y -6,1% para Francia. Conclusiones: Durante el período estudiado, el consumo de ansiolíticos e hipnóticos se incrementó en España, siendo el incremento superior incluso al reportado en otros países europeos(AU)

Background: For years, anxiolytics and hypnotics have been one of the most prescribed drug classes in most developed countries. The main aim of this study is to explore the pattern of use of anxiolytic and hypnotic drugs during the period 2000-2011, comparing their growth with that of five european countries. Method:We performed an ecological and descriptive study of anxiolytics and hypnotics consumption in Spain. Consumption data were obtained from the databases ofmedications dispensed in community pharmacies and charged through official prescriptions to the totality of the Spanish National Health System. Annual and total-period consumptions were expressed in defined daily doses (DDD) per 1000 inhabitants per day (DDD/1000 person/day) by each treatment subgroup, active substance and attending the plasma half-life of themedication.Approximate comparisons were alsomade with some European countries. Results: The use of anxiolytics and hypnotics drugs was 56.7 DDD/1000 person/day in 2000 and 82.9 DDD/1000 person/day in 2011 (a +46.1% increase across the period). Lorazepamand alprazolamwere themost used anxiolytics (20.5 and 15.6 DDD/1000 person/day in 2011, respectively), whereas lormetazepamwas among the hypnotics (18.3 DDD/1000 person/day in 2011). In relative terms, hypnotics’ lormetazepam and zolpidem increased their use by 103.3%and 85.1%, respectively; while anxiolytics’lorazepamand hydroxyzine increased 75.1% and 72.8%, respectively. In Spain (period 2003-2010), the total increase in the consumption of anxiolytics and hypnotics was +34.3%, with 24.0% for Portugal, 4.0% for Italy, but a reduction of -6.1% for France. Conclusions: A considerable increase in anxiolytics and hypnotics’ consumption has occurred in Spain during the last decade, being the growth higher than that reported in other European countries(AU)