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Nascer e Crescer
Print version ISSN 0872-0754On-line version ISSN 2183-9417
Abstract
DUARTE, Nuno; AMARAL, Sarah and ABRANTES, Marta. Serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors and suicide risk in a Portuguese adolescent sample. Nascer e Crescer [online]. 2023, vol.32, n.3, pp.189-194. Epub Sep 30, 2023. ISSN 0872-0754. https://doi.org/10.25753/birthgrowthmj.v32.i3.29052.
Background:
The adolescent population is at high risk for depressive disorders, and suicide is a leading cause of death in this age group worldwide. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) remain the only approved pharmacological approach, despite concerns about suicidality.
Objectives:
This study aimed to understand the relationship between antidepressant use and suicidality in an adolescent population from an Adolescent Psychiatric unit in Lisbon, Portugal.
Methods:
A total of 296 medical reports of adolescent patients with depressive symptoms in psychiatric follow-up at the considered unit were reviewed. Two demographically and clinically similar samples were obtained, one exposed to SSRI treatment and one control group.
Results:
A risk of suicide attempt of 0.006 was found in the group exposed to SSRIs versus 0.025 in the control group, corresponding to a relative risk of suicidality of 0.248. This difference did not reach statistical significance, despite a Bayes factor of 4.57 and a Pearson’s r of -0.078.
Conclusions:
The study results suggest that SSRIs do not increase the risk of suicide attempt in adolescents with depressive symptoms.
Keywords : antidepressant; attempt; depression; depressive disorder; second generation; suicide.
