Association between antidepressants with pneumonia and exacerbation in patients with COPD: a self-controlled case series (SCCS)
Abstract
Objective To assess whether antidepressant prescriptions are associated with an increased risk of pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation. Methods A self-controlled case series was performed to investigate the rates of pneumonia and COPD exacerbation during periods of being exposed to antidepressants compared with non-exposed periods. Patients with COPD with pneumonia or COPD exacerbation and at least one prescription of antidepressant were ascertained from The Health Improvement Network in the UK. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) and 95% CI were calculated for both outcomes. Results Of 31 253 patients with COPD with at least one antidepressant prescription, 1969 patients had pneumonia and 18 483 had a COPD exacerbation. The 90-day risk period following antidepressant prescription was associated with a 79% increased risk of pneumonia (age-adjusted IRR 1.79, 95% CI 1.54 to 2.07). These associations then disappeared once antidepressants were discontinued. There was a 16% (age-adjusted IRR 1.16, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.20) increased risk of COPD exacerbation within the 90 days following antidepressant prescription. This risk persisted and slightly increased in the remainder period ((age-adjusted IRR 1.38, 95% CI 1.34 to 1.41), but diminished after patients discounted the treatment. Conclusion Antidepressants were associated with an increased risk of both pneumonia and exacerbation in patients with COPD, with the risks diminished on stopping the treatment.…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a case series, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health. Reported size: 1,969 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Severe clinical outcomes of COVID-19 associated with proton pump inhibitors: a nationwide cohort study with propensity score matching
- Levofloxacin-Induced Tendon Rupture: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
- Association between cord blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and respiratory tract infections in the first 6 months of age in a Korean population: a birth cohort study (COCOA)
- Neuroprotective Effects of Epicatechin against Oxidative Stress-Induced Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Quality evaluation and in vitro interaction studies between levofloxacin 250mg and diclofenac sodium 50mg tablets
- Molecular Epidemiology of mcr-1 -Positive Polymyxin B-Resistant Escherichia coli Producing Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL) in a Tertiary Hospital in Shandong, China
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.