Modificações no padrão de consumo de psicofármacos em uma cidade do sul do Brasil.

Abstract

Purposes: To assess the prevalence and patterns of psychotropic use in a two-week recall. To compare the results with a study carried out in 1994 at same city, Pelotas, Southern Brazil.

Methods: In a population-based cross-sectional study carried out in 2003, 3542 participants aged 15 years or more were selected from an urban area in Southern Brazil using a multistage sampling design. Data were collected in household interviews through the same questionnaire used in the 1994 study. The variables studied were age, gender, race, schooling, family income, marital status, smoking, hypertension and physician consultation at last three months.

Results: In 2003, the overall prevalence of psychotropic use was 9,9%(CI 95% 8,9-10,9). There was not significant difference when compared with the prevalence of 11,9 (IC95% 10,1 - 13,7) observed in 1994, using direct standardized rates. In 1994 and 2003, the higher psychotropic consumption was associated with females, age increased, hypertension and health service utilization. In 2003, 74% of the users were using psychotropic drugs over three months.

Conclusions: After a decade, the prevalence remains high, but the psychotropic consumption does not increased. The chronic use of psychotropic drugs reached 74%, in 2003. These findings show the importance of the adequate indication of the psychotropic drugs and the follow up of the users by the physician.