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Gerd Glaeske

Publications and source records attributed to Gerd Glaeske.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Antidepressant prevalence for youths: a multi-national comparison.

OBJECTIVE: To compare antidepressant prevalence data in youths across three western European countries (Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands) with US regional data in terms of age and gender and to show proportional subclass antidepressant (ATD) use. METHOD: A population-based analysis of administrative claims data for the year 2000 was undertaken in 0 to 19-year-old enrollees who were part of the insured populations from four countries having a total of from 72,570 to 480,680 members. RESULTS: ATD medication utilization in the US dataset (1.63%) exceeded that of three Western European countries (prevalence ranged from 0.11 to 0.54%) by at least 3-fold. There were major variations in the use of subclasses: tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) predominated in Germany while selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) predominated in the US, Denmark and the Netherlands. CONCLUSIONS: Cross-national variations should be further explored to understand the factors related to these differences and how prevalence differences relate to effectiveness and safety. Community-based cohorts should be followed to establish outcomes in the usual practice setting.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

[Analysis of statutory health insurance data concerning utilization of support surfaces for pressure ulcers].

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Support surfaces are commonly used to prevent and treat pressure ulcers. Up to now little is known about their application in Germany. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study using claims data of the Gmuender ErsatzKasse (GEK) for the year 2004 to analyse the utilization of support surfaces for pressure ulcers in primary care. Based on age- and sex-specific treatment prevalences for individuals with at least one prescription, prevalence ratios (PR) were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 1999 subjects with a mean age of 63.4 years (SD: 20.7) received support surfaces for pressure ulcers. With respect to the numbers of prescriptions (n = 2421) alternating pressure mattresses (31.6%), air-filled rings (13.5%) and various seat cushions (13.0%) were used frequently, whereas foam mattresses only came to 4.7%. The treatment prevalence increases continuously with age with no sex-specific differences. Using the 50-59 year olds as a reference, men aged 90+ (PR: 43.94; 95% CI: 31.46-61.37) as well as women aged 90+ (PR: 40.61; 95% CI: 30.77-53.60) received approximately 40-times more often support surfaces for pressure ulcers. CONCLUSION: Support surfaces for pressure ulcers are commonly used in the elderly. Our study suggests that their application does not correspond to the best available evidence. Prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers as well as the selection of support surfaces should be seen as an interdisciplinary task.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Antidepressant use in children and adolescents in Germany.

OBJECTIVE: The expanded use of antidepressants in youth has been the subject of numerous studies and some concerns in recent years. This study describes prescription patterns of antidepressants (ATD) for youths in Germany for the years 2000-2003 and includes prescription use of St. John's Wort. METHODS: Prescription data from a health insurance organization with 1.4 million members per year across Germany, of whom approximately 280,000 were under 20 years of age, were accessed. Total age- and gender-specific ATD yearly utilization rates were computed. Prevalence was defined as the dispensing of 1 or more prescriptions for an ATD per calendar year per 1000 continuously enrolled youth. RESULTS: ATD prevalence was 3.43 per 1000 (95% Confidence Interval [CI], 3.21-3.65) in 2000 and 3.74 per 1000 (3.25-3.97) in 2003. St John's Wort products, which are approved for antidepressant use by the German drug agency, and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), accounted for more than 80% of antidepressant use. Although selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) represented only 15% of antidepressant use, there was a doubling of its use over the 4-year period. Adolescent girls (age, 15-19 years) had utilization rates ranging from 11.44 to 13.82 per 1000, and accounted for most ATD use. Overall, females were twice as likely as males to get an antidepressant. Among users, there were low rates of multiple medication use (5.6% used more than one class of ATD, and 6.7% more than one drug). CONCLUSIONS: Prescription patterns in Germany reveal predominate use of St. John's Wort and TCAs, which contrasts sharply with U.S. patterns, wherein SSRIs predominate. Also, in the United States, unlike Germany, 5-9- and 10-14 year olds receive sizable proportions of ATDs. Labeling status (only herbal hypericum preparations and TCAs are labeled for the treatment of depression in children and adolescents in Germany) and cost restrictions appear to influence the prescribing pattern of doctors in Germany. Recent treatment recommendations of national and international regulatory agencies need to take into account the different national situations.

Adolescent↗