The association between use of cardiovascular drugs and antidepressants: a nationwide register-based study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether cardiovascular drug classes and specific beta-blockers are associated with antidepressant drug use in a large study population of older people.


METHODS
We analyzed data from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register from October-December 2005 for people aged 75 years and older (n = 732,230). Logistic regression analysis was used to study the association between the cardiovascular drugs and antidepressants, after adjustment for age, sex, and number of other dispensed drugs.


RESULTS
All the cardiovascular drug classes were negatively or not associated with use of any antidepressant, non-selective monoamine reuptake inhibitors, and SSRIs, after adjustment for age, sex, and number of other dispensed drugs. However, propranolol was associated with an increased use of any antidepressant, non-selective monoamine reuptake inhibitors, and SSRIs, after adjustment for age, sex, and number of other dispensed drugs. Atenolol was positively associated with non-selective monoamine reuptake inhibitors, although to a lesser extent than propranolol.


CONCLUSIONS
None of the cardiovascular drug classes were associated with increased antidepressant drug use, after adjustment for age, sex, and use of other drugs. However, when focusing specifically on beta-blockers, our results indicate that propranolol may be the beta-blocker most closely associated with use of antidepressants in the elderly.
Johnell
Kristina
K
Aging Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Gävlegatan 16, 11330 Stockholm, Sweden. Kristina.Johnell@ki.se
Fastbom
Johan
J
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000145:classification; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011433:Propranolol / Q000009:adverse effects; D012042:Registries
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D011433:Propranolol