Trends in antidepressant use in the older population: Results from the LASA-study over a period of 10 years

Abstract Background In the past 15 years, antidepressant use in adults has increased, mainly due to a rise in SSRI-use. The question is if this is true for older adults as well. Methods Data from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam were used to investigate trends in antidepressant use from 1992 through 2002 in a population-based sample aged 65–85 years. Results Antidepressant use increased from 2% to 6%. In the group with major depressive disorder, treatment with antidepressants showed an increase from 15% to 30%. This increase was larger in the older-old than in the younger old. Also, the increase was mainly due to a rise in SSRI-use. Daily TCA-dosages often were too low; dosages of the other antidepressants seemed to be sufficient. However, rates of depression remained stable, in the treated as well as in the untreated group. Limitations Non-response was associated with depression, the indication for prescription of antidepressants was not known, and serum concentrations of antidepressants were not available. Conclusions Antidepressant use in older people increased over the past 15 years, mainly due to a rise in SSRI-use. Daily dosages of antidepressants had become more adequate. Still only a minority of the more severely depressed used antidepressants.