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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.