Use of antidepressants in deliberate self-poisoning: psychiatric diagnoses and drugs used between 1987 and 1997 in Lund, Sweden.
OBJECTIVE
Based on the increased prescription of antidepressants, the aim of this study was to analyse the changes in self-poisonings with antidepressants during the period 1987-1997.


METHODS
A total of 909 patients who were admitted to hospital after deliberate self-poisoning were investigated regarding psychiatric diagnoses and drugs ingested.


RESULTS
In the whole group, there was no significant change in the rate of antidepressant overdoses between 1987 and 1990 (20%) and 1995 and 1997 (17 %), but among females with a mood disorder overdoses decreased from 43% to 22% (p = 0.01). The proportion of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in self-poisonings was significantly lower than expected from sales figures.


CONCLUSIONS
The increased antidepressant sales have not caused an increased use of antidepressants in self-poisonings. It is, therefore, tempting to assume that an increased use of antidepressants for appropriate indications causes decreased self-poisoning rates.
Bäckman
Jakob
J
Dept. of Clinical Neuroscience, Division of Psychiatry, University Hospital, 22185, Lund, Sweden.
Ekman
Carl-Johan
CJ
Alsén
Margot
M
Ekedahl
Anders
A
Träskman-Bendz
Lil
L
D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000506:poisoning* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015897:Comorbidity; D003422:Critical Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology
D000928:Antidepressive Agents