Antidepressant Use may Increase Risk of Exacerbation in COPD Patients: BMJ

Written By : Jacinthlyn Sylvia |Medically Reviewed By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli Published On 2024-02-09T09:00:46+05:30 | Updated On 9 Feb 2024 12:05 PM IST

A recent study found a concerning association between antidepressant use and an increased risk of pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation in patients who are already suffering from COPD. The findings were published in the BMJ Thorax underscore the importance of monitoring of antidepressant prescriptions and consideration of alternative interventions.

This research conducted in the UK, employed a self-controlled case series methodology and analyzed data from The Health Improvement Network in the UK. The study focused on over 31,000 patients who were diagnosed with COPD and were prescribed antidepressants which revealed that within 90 days following an antidepressant prescription, patients faced an increased risk of pneumonia (79%) when compared to periods when they were not exposed to the medication. Also, there was a heightened risk of COPD exacerbation about 16% during this timeframe.

These risks were found to reduce gradually once the patients stopped taking antidepressants which indicates a potential causal relationship between the medication and respiratory issues. This study also highlighted a persistent increased risk of COPD exacerbation even after the 90-day period, albeit to a lesser extent.

The study emphasized the importance of close monitoring of patients with COPD who take antidepressants. These findings suggest a need for increased awareness among healthcare providers regarding the potential respiratory side effects of antidepressant medications, This underscores the necessity of considering non-pharmacological interventions and weighing the risks and benefits of antidepressant therapy in COPD patients. While antidepressants are crucial for treating mental health disorders, the outcomes of this study suggest caution and thorough consideration of side effects, particularly in vulnerable patient populations such as the individuals with COPD.

Reference:

Siraj, R. A., Bolton, C. E., & McKeever, T. M. (2023). Association between antidepressants with pneumonia and exacerbation in patients with COPD: a self-controlled case series (SCCS). In Thorax (Vol. 79, Issue 1, pp. 50–57). BMJ. https://doi.org/10.1136/thorax-2022-219736

BMJ ThoraxCOPD exacerbationsantidepressant use

Source : BMJ Thorax

Jacinthlyn Sylvia

Neuroscience Masters graduate

Jacinthlyn Sylvia, a Neuroscience Master's graduate from Chennai has worked extensively in deciphering the neurobiology of cognition and motor control in aging. She also has spread-out exposure to Neurosurgery from her Bachelor’s. She is currently involved in active Neuro-Oncology research. She is an upcoming neuroscientist with a fiery passion for writing. Her news cover at Medical Dialogues feature recent discoveries and updates from the healthcare and biomedical research fields. She can be reached at editorial@medicaldialogues.in

Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli

Dr Kamal Kant Kohli-MBBS, DTCD- a chest specialist with more than 30 years of practice and a flair for writing clinical articles, Dr Kamal Kant Kohli joined Medical Dialogues as a Chief Editor of Medical News. Besides writing articles, as an editor, he proofreads and verifies all the medical content published on Medical Dialogues including those coming from journals, studies,medical conferences,guidelines etc. Email: drkohli@medicaldialogues.in. Contact no. 011-43720751