Among the regions consuming antidepressants, Limousin wins the prize. Alsace is one of the least depressed and the situation in Ile-de-France is contrasted.
Limousin, the first consumer of antidepressants. Investigation IMS Health (1) produced a map of France of the regions according to the number of antidepressants sold in pharmacies. These data were cross-checked with the social and demographic figures of theInstitute of Statistics (Insee). “The most consuming regions […] are among the predominantly rural regions, ”the survey concludes.
Indeed, Limousin, Auvergne and Poitou-Charentes form the “top trio” of antidepressant consumers, with consumption ranging from 9.95 to 7.29 annual doses per inhabitant. Conversely, the least “depressive” regions are Alsace, Île-de-France and Lorraine with 5.5 doses per day.
The “disease of loneliness”
By cross-checking these results with data from INSEE, we see that certain social or demographic factors are linked to the consumption of antidepressants. The association with age (over 65), the celibacy of women and men, disability, or the absence of children in the home, is strong … which explains why Limousin is “champion of France. In the consumption of antidepressants.
Conversely, families with children, whatever their level of income or their status (blended family, single-parent or two-parent), seem to be better protected from the consumption of antidepressants. “Limousin, which is the oldest region in France, is in the lead”, analyzes Dominique Perrot, director of development of new activities at IMS Health. “It also leads the regions for celibacy, disability and the percentage of couples without children. “
This survey offers a “zoom” on Île-de-France, where there are again disparities. Paris is clearly above the regional average in terms of consumption. It is also the city with the highest rate of singles and the lowest rate of couples with children. Conversely, Seine-Saint-Denis and Val-d’Oise are well below the national average, and are among the youngest departments in the region. “In Île-de-France, the departments in which there is the least consumption are those where there are the fewest elderly people, the most families with children, and the lowest celibacy rates,” explains Dominique. Perrot. “We often talk about depression as the illness of loneliness. What’s interesting about this study is that it strongly supports this claim. “
(1) IMS Health: company offering studies and advice for the drug industries and healthcare stakeholders.
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