Extract
We read with interest the observational analysis by Vozoris et al. [1] of the putative association between the prescription of new antidepressants (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)), and hospitalisation and mortality in people with a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In this nonrandomised analysis of administrative health data, people who got a new prescription of these antidepressants faced a worse prognosis including a 26% increase in pneumonia-related mortality and a 20% higher risk of death from all causes [1]. This analysis used similar methodology as previous papers on benzodiazepines and opioids and shares the same important shortcomings [2, 3].
Abstract
Observational analyses of putative drug effects, including a recent on antidepressants and increased mortality in COPD, may be biased, should be interpreted sceptically and often need to be confirmed by randomised data to change practice. http://ow.ly/oh5030m9Q9I
Footnotes
Conflict of interest: M. Ekström has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: M.J. Johnson reports institutional fees for clinical advisor role from Mayne Pharma, during the conduct of the study.
Conflict of interest: D.C. Currow reports an unrestricted research grant from Mundipharma, is an unpaid member of an advisory board for Helsinn Pharmaceuticals, and has consulted Specialist Therapeutics and Mayne Pharma and received intellectual property payments from Mayne Pharma.
- Received September 10, 2018.
- Accepted September 11, 2018.
- Copyright ©ERS 2018
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