Gender differences in the association between antidepressant use and restless legs syndrome.
Contradictory results have been reported for the association between antidepressant use and Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). Our aim was to clarify the relationship and examine possible gender differences. We interviewed 1,693 veterans receiving primary care from the Cleveland VA Medical Center and obtained prescription drug information from their medical records. Overall, use of an antidepressant was associated with RLS for men (RR = 1.77, CI = 1.26, 2.48) but not for women (RR = 0.79, CI = 0.43, 1.47). Analyses of individual antidepressants revealed an association between RLS and fluoxetine for women (RR = 2.47, CI = 1.33, 4.56), and associations between RLS and citalopram, (RR = 2.09, CI = 1.20, 3.64), paroxetine (RR = 1.97, CI = 1.02, 3.79), and amitriptyline (RR = 2.40, CI = 1.45, 4.00) for men. We conclude that RLS may be associated with antidepressant use, but the association varies by gender and type of antidepressant. Antidepressant use is more strongly associated with RLS in men than in women.
Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy, Rootstown, Ohio 44272, USA. kbaughma@neoucom.edu
Kristin R
KR
Baughman
Claire C
CC
Bourguet
Scott K
SK
Ober
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000145:classification; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019370:Observation; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014728:Veterans; D055815:Young Adult
D000928:Antidepressive Agents