title: The association of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors use and stroke in geriatric population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) exposure has controversial results in increasing the stroke risk. With the risk of stroke increased with age, the safety of SSRI use among older adults attracts much concern.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed 28,145 subjects older than 65 years from a subset of a 9-year cohort database from the National Health Insurance Research Database, Taiwan.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The survival analysis showed a greater probability of stroke in subjects with SSRI exposure after adjusting other covariates. Compared with other variables, SSRI exposure had the strongest effect (hazard ratio: 2.66, 95% confidence interval: 2.21-3.20). The risk was independent to depression-related stroke risk.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of SSRIs independently increases the risk of stroke among older patients. SSRIs are still practically safe to most users, providing precautionary measures are taken.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chia-Chun
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: Ching-Heng
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Tsuo-Hung
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Lan
authors.forename: Chin-Hong
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020521:Stroke / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
keywords: Geriatric; hemorrhage; ischemia; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs); stroke