Antidepressant medication might increase the risk of self-harm injuries: findings in 17 OECD countries

Göran N Högberg; Sven G Bremberg

doi:10.1093/eurpub/cky268

Antidepressant medication might increase the risk of self-harm injuries: findings in 17 OECD countries

Eur J Public Health. 2019 Apr 1;29(2):365-367. doi: 10.1093/eurpub/cky268.

Authors

Göran N Högberg¹, Sven G Bremberg^{2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Formerly Department of Women's and Children's Health, Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Unit, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
² Department of Public Health, Karolinska Institute 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
³ Public Health Agency of Sweden, 171 82 Solna, Sweden.

PMID: 30590506
DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/cky268

Abstract

Clinical trials suggest that antidepressants increase the risk of self-harm injuries (SHI). The aim was to investigate associations between antidepressants' use and the rate of change of SHI in 17 countries over the period 2000-16, with initial levels of SHI taken into account. The rate of change of SHI seems mainly (81%) determined by initial rates. The rate of SHI decreased in most countries. The decrease was slower in countries with a high level of antidepressants' use and in countries with an increase of depressive disorders. The study indicates that the use of antidepressants might increase the risk of SHI.

MeSH terms

Antidepressive Agents / administration & dosage
Antidepressive Agents / adverse effects
Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use*
Depressive Disorder / drug therapy*
Depressive Disorder / epidemiology*
Humans
Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development
Risk Factors
Self-Injurious Behavior / epidemiology*

Substances

Antidepressive Agents