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Sedative drug-use in Denmark, 2000 to 2019: a nationwide drug utilization study

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Abstract

Aim

To describe trends in and characteristics of sedative drug use from 2000 through 2019 in relation to the introduction of central regulations and new drugs.

Methods

In this descriptive study, we used individual prescription data on the entire Danish population from the Danish National Prescription Registry to calculate yearly incidence and prevalence of use of benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine-related drugs (Z-drugs), melatonin, olanzapine, low-dose quetiapine, mianserin/mirtazapine, pregabalin, and promethazine from 2000 through 2019. From the Danish National Patient Registry, we obtained data on drug users’ psychiatric and somatic comorbidity.

Results

The use of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs declined gradually from 2000 through 2019, whereas the newer alternatives, melatonin, low-dose quetiapine, pregabalin and promethazine, increased in use, while the use of olanzapine and mianserin/mirtazapine was relatively stable. This development was seen in both men and women and across all age groups except for hypnotic benzodiazepines which showed a steep increase in the oldest age group from 2010. For all sedative drugs depression, anxiety, alcohol and misuse disorder, pain and cancer were the most prevalent comorbidities. During our study period, the number of individuals without any of the selected diagnoses increased.

Conclusion

In Denmark different central regulations have influenced prescription practice toward more restrictive use of Z-drugs and benzodiazepines, except for hypnotic benzodiazepine prescriptions increased after the introduction of special palliative care. An increase in use of newer sedative drugs, however, indicates that the regulations do not remove the need for sedative drugs in the population.

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Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from Statistics Denmark. Restrictions apply to the availability of these data, which were used under license for this study.

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Funding

No funding was received for conducting this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospitals, Nordre Fasanvej 57, 2000, Frederiksberg, Denmark

    Thomas Wolff Rosenqvist, Merete Osler, Marie Kim Wium-Andersen & Ida Kim Wium-Andersen

  2. Section of Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Øster Farimagsgade 5, 1014, Copenhagen K, Denmark

    Merete Osler

  3. Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, Dept. O, Rigshospital, Edel Sauntes Allé 10, 2100, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark

    Ida Kim Wium-Andersen

Authors
  1. Thomas Wolff Rosenqvist
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  2. Merete Osler
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  3. Marie Kim Wium-Andersen
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  4. Ida Kim Wium-Andersen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Thomas Wolff Rosenqvist.

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Rosenqvist, T.W., Osler, M., Wium-Andersen, M.K. et al. Sedative drug-use in Denmark, 2000 to 2019: a nationwide drug utilization study. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 58, 1493–1502 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-022-02409-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-022-02409-5

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