Abstract
Anti-depressant (AD) prescribing rose in several countries worldwide over the last 20 years. Some concerns have been raised over the fact that AD use, mainly Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) may increase the risk of suicide. AD consumption and suicide rates data in Emilia-Romagna region, Italy have been extracted from regional government databases on AD prescribing and suicide rates, from 1999 to 2008. A statistical model using ordinary least squares linear regression was employed. The overall suicide rates decreased during the period under examination, in spite of the observed exponential increase in use of ADs. Despite the doubling in prescribing of SSRI and newer ADs in recent years, there continues to be no negative impact on suicide rates in Emilia Romagna.
Highlights
Anti-depressant (AD) prescribing rose in several countries worldwide over the last 20 years [1], mainly after the introduction of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors [1, 2]
The aim of this study is to investigate the trend in AD prescribing and deaths by suicide in Emilia Romagna, a large Italian region, with a view to understanding how the pattern of AD sale is related to suicide
Results on AD prescribing and suicides are shown on Fig. (1)
Summary
Anti-depressant (AD) prescribing rose in several countries worldwide over the last 20 years [1], mainly after the introduction of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors [1, 2]. This increase may be the result of better treatment and recognition of depression [1]. There is some evidence that treating more depressed patients with AD might prevent suicide [3]. Ecological studies showed some evidence that more widespread AD use corresponds to a decrease in suicide rates [1], this finding is disputed [5]. A meta-analysis published in 2009 [6] showed that the risk in suicidality associated with use of antidepressants strongly depends on age, with a higher risk in adults aged 25 years of age or under, a reduced risk of suicidality among people aged 65 and older, and a possibly protective effect in adults aged 25 to 64 years
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