Comparison of Psychotropic Medication Use in Youth Across Three Countries
Author Information
Author(s): Zito Julie M, Safer Daniel J, Berg Lolkje TW de Jong-van den, Janhsen Katrin, Fegert Joerg M, Gardner James F, Glaeske Gerd, Valluri Satish C
Primary Institution: University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Hypothesis
The study aims to compare cross-national prevalence of psychotropic medication use in youth.
Conclusion
There are significant differences in psychotropic medication treatment patterns between youth in the US and Western Europe.
Supporting Evidence
- The annual prevalence of any psychotropic medication in youth was significantly greater in the US (6.7%) than in the Netherlands (2.9%) and Germany (2.0%).
- Antidepressant and stimulant prevalence were 3 or more times greater in the US than in the Netherlands and Germany.
- Concomitant drug use applied to 19.2% of US youth, which was more than double the Dutch use and three times that of German youth.
Takeaway
This study looked at how many kids in the US and Europe take medicine for mental health, and found that more kids in the US are prescribed these medications.
Methodology
A population-based analysis using administrative claims data for insured youth aged 0-19 from the Netherlands, Germany, and the US.
Potential Biases
The US data were based on a specific Medicaid dataset, which may not be representative of all US youth.
Limitations
The study is cross-sectional and does not allow for time trend analyses; diagnostic information was not available.
Participant Demographics
Youth aged 0-19 from the Netherlands (n=110,944), Germany (n=356,520), and the US (n=127,157).
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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