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Good news regarding SSRI safety in Danish meta-analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 December 2019

Fredrik Hieronymus Open the ORCID record for Fredrik Hieronymus [Opens in a new window] ,
Alexander Lisinski ,
Jakob Näslund  and
Elias Eriksson
Fredrik Hieronymus
Affiliation:
Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark Department of Affective Disorders, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
Alexander Lisinski
Affiliation:
Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
Jakob Näslund
Affiliation:
Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
Elias Eriksson*
Affiliation:
Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
*
Author for correspondence: Elias Eriksson, Email: elias.eriksson@neuro.gu.se
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Abstract

In two previous letters on an selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) meta-analysis conducted by the Copenhagen Trial Unit at Copenhagen University Hospital, we have commented on a large number of errors, almost all of which have tilted the results in an anti-drug direction, that unfortunately mar this publication. While the authors have acknowledged many of these mishaps, and may now be expected to submit an extensive errata list to the journal where their paper was once published, we regretfully note that also their latest contribution to this exchange is surprisingly inaccurate. However, its many shortcomings notwithstanding, their meta-analysis does add to the current literature by confirming that SSRIs do not seem to enhance the risk for suicide or death, and also that these drugs seem to enhance the risk of side effects categorised as serious only in the elderly.

Keywords

SSRIantidepressantsaffective disorderdepressionpsychiatric disorders
Type
Commentary
Information
Acta Neuropsychiatrica , Volume 32 , Issue 1 , February 2020 , pp. 54 - 56
Copyright
© Scandinavian College of Neuropsychopharmacology 2019 

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