title: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and pulmonary arterial hypertension: a case-control study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Animal and human studies suggest that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) might be useful for the prevention or treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a population-based, nested case-control study to explore the hypothesis that SSRIs might reduce the risk of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Cases were individuals who developed pulmonary arterial hypertension requiring pharmacologic treatment. For each case, we selected up to 10 matched control subjects. Exposure to SSRIs and non-SSRI antidepressants was ascertained using administrative data. The outcome of pulmonary arterial hypertension requiring pharmacologic therapy was defined as the receipt of a drug specific for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In contrast to our hypothesis, and likely because of residual confounding, we found a positive association between SSRI use and pulmonary arterial hypertension (adjusted OR, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.13-2.13).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At conventional doses, SSRIs are not associated with a reduced risk of pulmonary arterial hypertension.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Medicine, Toronto, ON, Canada; Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada. Electronic address: dhallai@smh.ca.
authors.forename: Irfan A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Dhalla
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada; Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: David N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Juurlink
authors.affiliation: Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Tara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Toronto, ON, Canada; Division of Respirology, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: John T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Granton
authors.affiliation: Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Hong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, Toronto, ON, Canada; Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada; Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Muhammad M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Mamdani
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009864:Ontario; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors