Psychotropic and anti-epileptic drug use, before and after surgery, among patients with low-grade glioma: a nationwide matched cohort study

BACKGROUND: Low-grade glioma (LGG) is a relatively rare type of brain tumour. The use of antidepressant, sedative and anti-epileptic drugs can reflect the burden of the disease. While epilepsy is well-described in patients with LGG, less is known about depression and anxiety. METHODS: We used nationwide registers to study the use (dispense) of antidepressants, sedatives, and anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) before and after histopathological LGG diagnosis (WHO grade II). A total of 485 adult patients with a first-time diagnosis and a matched control cohort (n = 2412) were included. Patterns of use were analysed from one year prior to until one year following index date (date of surgery). Logistic regression analysis identified predictors for postoperative use. RESULTS: At one year before index date, patients were dispensed AEDs 4 times more than controls, while antidepressants and sedatives were similar. Sedatives and AED peaked shortly after index date at 25 and 69%, respectively. AEDs then stabilized while sedatives decreased rapidly. For antidepressants, a delayed increase was seen after index date, stabilizing at 12%. At one year after index date, the use of antidepressants, sedatives, and AEDs among patients was 2, 3, and 26 times higher, respectively, compared to controls. Predictor for use of AEDs and sedatives at one year following index was previous use and/or a related diagnosis. Female sex and later index year were additional predictors for antidepressants. CONCLUSIONS: Use of antidepressants, sedatives and AEDs is elevated following diagnosis of LGG. Antidepressants were more commonly dispensed to female patients and in recent years. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-07939-w.