Association between prescribed antidepressants and other prescribed drugs differ by gender: a nationwide register-based study in Sweden

Abstract

Background: People with depression are prescribed more drugs than people in general, partly due to comorbidity with other conditions. However, little research has been done on depression-related drug use from a gender perspective. Aim: Examine the association between antidepressants, other types of prescribed drugs, and polypharmacy, by gender. Methods: Data on drugs dispensed October to December 2016 to all Swedish citizens aged 18-84 years were collected from the Swedish prescribed drug register. Logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the associations between antidepressants and other drugs, by gender. Results: For both men and women, associations were found between antidepressants and drugs for alimentary tract problems, respiratory problems, blood, nervous system, analgesics, and polypharmacy. However, for women, but not men, associations were also found for drugs for diabetes, musculoskeletal problems, dermatological problems, and systemic hormones. Conclusions: Associations were found between antidepressants and many other types of drugs for both men and women; indicating comorbidity between depression and other conditions. Further, some of the associations between antidepressants and other drugs were found to be specific among women. Whether this indicates that men and women differ in comorbidity between depression and other conditions cannot be concluded based on this cross-sectional study. However, comorbidity impairs the possibility of recovery; in the somatic condition as well as the depression. Thus, physicians need to be aware that the association between antidepressants and other types of drugs are more common among women than men.

Capturing the Unsaid: Nurses’ Experiences of Identifying Mental Ill-Health in Older Men in Primary Care—A Qualitative Study of Narratives

“…Gender differences can also be seen in the prescription of antidepressants, where women are dominant. This observation is consistent with the fact that women are more often diagnosed with depression and may even be over diagnosed [10,11], whereas men risk being underdiagnosed. It is of note that these differences may be due, at least in part, to the screening tools used because they are designed for female expressions of depression, whereas men exhibit other symptoms [11].…”

“…This observation is consistent with the fact that women are more often diagnosed with depression and may even be over diagnosed [10,11], whereas men risk being underdiagnosed. It is of note that these differences may be due, at least in part, to the screening tools used because they are designed for female expressions of depression, whereas men exhibit other symptoms [11]. Previous research suggests that symptoms in men might instead manifest through irritableness, anger, addiction, and flight behaviour [12].…”

The pattern of medication use, and determinants of the prevalence of polypharmacy among patients with a recent history of depressive disorder: results from the pars cohort study

“…This study revealed that the prevalence of polypharmacy is higher in women. A nationwide study from Sweden has shown that psychiatric polypharmacy among women was higher than men [ 26 ]. Other studies have shown that the prevalence of polypharmacy among women, regardless of their status regarding depression, is higher than men [ 25 ].…”

“…al. [ 26 ] have shown that among women with DD, drugs related to the genitourinary system were the 3rd common prescribed drug class. Psychiatrists may also need to consider asking about genitourinary diseases from female patients and adopt the therapeutic approaches that they chose.…”

GPs’ drug treatment for depression by patients’ educational level: registry-based study

“…[11][12][13] With respect to sex and age, some studies indicate that GPs prescribe more depression drug therapy to women and older people than to men and younger people. 14,15 However, there is a lack of studies that use a new depression diagnosis to confirm this trend.…”