Change of antidepressant utilization in children, adolescents and young adults in Europe before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In recent decades, antidepressant utilization among young persons in Western countries has increased, raising concerns about overprescribing and safety. The COVID-19 pandemic and respective restrictions might have impacted not only youth's mental health but also antidepressant prescribing. Our aim was to systematically investigate changes in antidepressant utilization during the pandemic compared to pre-pandemic periods in European young persons.

Methods

This systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024559951). Observational studies with ≥ 100 European young persons (0-24 years) reporting prevalence or incidence data in antidepressant utilization before and during the pandemic (2018/2019 vs. 2021/2022) were included and percentage changes between two tim

SUBMITTER: Fassmer AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12916912 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature