Psychiatric outcomes 10 years after treatment with antidepressants or anxiolytics.
BACKGROUND
Antidepressants and anxiolytics have demonstrated short-term efficacy; however, little is known about the long-term effectiveness of these drugs.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate long-term psychiatric outcomes following antidepressant and/or anxiolytic use during an episode of mental disorder in mid-life.


METHODS
Members of the 1946 British birth cohort were assessed for symptoms of depression and anxiety at age 43. Among 157 with mental disorder, those using antidepressants and/or anxiolytics were compared with those not using medications on psychiatric outcomes at age 53.


RESULTS
Use of antidepressants or anxiolytics was associated with a lower prevalence of mental disorder at age 53 (odds ratio (OR)=0.3, 95% CI 0.1-1.0) after adjustment for eight variables in a propensity-for-treatment analysis. Only 24% of those being treated with medications at age 43 were still using them at 53.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of antidepressants or anxiolytics during an episode of mental disorder may have long-term beneficial effects on mental health. This may be because of a demonstrated willingness to seek help rather than long-term maintenance therapy.
Colman
Ian
I
Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. ian.colman@ualberta.ca
Croudace
Tim J
TJ
Wadsworth
Michael E J
ME
Kuh
Diana
D
Jones
Peter B
PB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents