Shevlin Mark, Rosato Michael, Boyle Stephanie, Boduszek Daniel, Murphy Jamie
School of Psychology and Psychology Research Institute, Ulster University, Londonderry, UK.
Bamford Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Ulster University, Londonderry, UK.
Ir J Psychol Med. 2020 Mar;37(1):32-38. doi: 10.1017/ipm.2019.14. Epub 2019 Apr 29.
Research indicates that anti-depressant prescribing is higher in Northern Ireland (NI) than in the rest of the UK, and that socio-economic and area-level factors may contribute to this. The current study provides comprehensive population-based estimates of the prevalence of anti-depressant prescription prescribing in NI from 2011 to 2015, and examined the associations between socio-demographic, socio-economic, self-reported health and area-level factors and anti-depressant prescription.
Data were derived from the 2011 NI Census (N = 1 588 355) and the Enhanced Prescribing Database. Data linkage techniques were utilised through the Administrative Data Research Centre in NI. Prevalence rates were calculated and binary logistic analysis assessed the associations between contextual factors and anti-depressant prescription.
From 2011 to 2015, the percentages of the population in NI aged 16 or more receiving anti-depressant prescriptions were 12.3%, 12.9%, 13.4%, 13.9% and 14.3%, respectively, and over the 5-year period was 24.3%. The strongest predictors of anti-depressant prescription in the multivariate model specified were 'very bad' (OR = 4.02) or 'Bad' general health (OR = 3.98), and self-reported mental health problems (OR = 3.57). Other significant predictors included social renting (OR = 1.67) and unemployment (OR = 1.25). Protective factors included Catholic religious beliefs, other faith/philosophic beliefs and no faith/philosophic beliefs in comparison to reporting Protestant/other Christian religious beliefs (ORs = 0.78-0.91).
The prevalence of anti-depressant prescription in NI appears to be higher than the prevalence of depressive disorders, although this may not necessarily be attributable to over-prescribing as anti-depressants are also prescribed for conditions other than depression. Anti-depressant prescription was linked to several factors that represent socio-economic disadvantage.
研究表明，北爱尔兰（NI）的抗抑郁药处方率高于英国其他地区，社会经济和地区层面的因素可能对此有所影响。本研究提供了2011年至2015年北爱尔兰基于人群的抗抑郁药处方患病率的综合估计，并考察了社会人口统计学、社会经济、自我报告的健康状况以及地区层面因素与抗抑郁药处方之间的关联。
数据来源于2011年北爱尔兰人口普查（N = 1588355）和强化处方数据库。通过北爱尔兰行政数据研究中心采用数据链接技术。计算患病率，并通过二元逻辑分析评估背景因素与抗抑郁药处方之间的关联。
2011年至2015年，北爱尔兰16岁及以上人群接受抗抑郁药处方的比例分别为12.3%、12.9%、13.4%、13.9%和14.3%，5年期间为24.3%。在指定的多变量模型中，抗抑郁药处方的最强预测因素是“非常差”（OR = 4.02）或“差”的总体健康状况（OR = 3.98）以及自我报告的心理健康问题（OR = 3.57）。其他显著预测因素包括社会租赁（OR = 1.67）和失业（OR = 1.25）。保护因素包括与报告新教/其他基督教宗教信仰相比，天主教宗教信仰、其他信仰/哲学信仰和无信仰/哲学信仰（OR = 0.78 - 0.91）。
北爱尔兰抗抑郁药处方的患病率似乎高于抑郁症的患病率，尽管这不一定归因于过度开药，因为抗抑郁药也用于治疗除抑郁症以外的其他病症。抗抑郁药处方与几个代表社会经济劣势的因素有关。
