Surge in antidepressant usage among adolescents and young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: insights from an interrupted time series analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Depressive disorders are a major public health issue in Western societies, particularly among adolescents, young adults and women. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health challenges, increasing depression and anxiety symptoms, especially in younger people. This study focuses on the hard-hit Emilia-Romagna Region (ERR) in Italy, examining changes in antidepressant (AD) drug use post-COVID-19 to understand the pandemic's effect on mental health.

Methods

A population-based interrupted time series design and a segmented regression analysis was carried out on ERR pharmaceutical data (FED, direct dispensation pharmaceuticals, AFT, territorial pharmaceutical assistance) out to estimate changes in AD use during the three pandemic years (2020, 2021 and 2022) co

SUBMITTER: Di Valerio Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11561682 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature