Exposure to antidepressant medications and suicide attempts in adult depressed inpatients.
The effects of antidepressant medication on suicide risk remain unclear. This study explores any association between antidepressant medication and suicide attempts leading to hospitalization in adult depressed patients.The medical records of 103 patients admitted after a suicide attempt were examined and compared with those of a matched control group of depressed patients (n = 103) admitted without suicide attempts as well as a patient group with and without suicide attempts on separate hospitalizations (n = 25). No significant difference in antidepressant medication exposure before hospitalization was found between groups. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor exposure was higher in patients with suicide attempts, albeit nonsignificant, but was identical in patients admitted on two occasions with and without suicide attempts. The most common method for suicide attempt was drug overdose (52.4%). Patients in the group with suicide attempts had significantly more past suicide attempts. Study results do not confirm any relationship between antidepressants and suicide attempts. Close monitoring of depressed patients is advised especially in early treatment.
Beer-Yaakov Mental Health Center, Beer-Yaakov, Israel. ahikamolmer@gmail.com
Ahikam
A
Olmer
Iulian
I
Iancu
Rael D
RD
Strous
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors