Trends in the prescription of antidepressants in urban and rural general practices

Analyzed the relationship between antidepressant drug (AD) prescription by general practitioners and population density in Italy between 1983 and 1988. The association between AD prescription and major sociodemographic variables was examined, and the seasonal pattern of prescribing was investigated. Data were calculated as defined daily dose (DDD), and the area was divided into 25 districts, classified on the urban-rural continuum according to population density. An increase in the levels of prescription of AD was observed over the 6 yrs. No correlation was found between DDD/1000 inhabitants/day rate and population density. Only the proportion of females in the population was significantly associated with AD prescription. Analysis of the seasonal variation in prescription showed a moderate degree of seasonality in all districts; however, seasonality was correlated only with the number of pharmacies available in each district. (PsycLIT Database Copyright 1992 American Psychological Assn, all rights reserved)