Antidepressant link to heart changes confirmed

Conclusion This study shows a link between three antidepressants (two SSRIs and one tricyclic) and prolonged QT interval (a risk factor for rare but serious heart rhythm problems). The study did not assess the risk of these heart rhythm problems directly (which is difficult to measure because of their rarity). The researchers point out that the recent FDA warning over the risks of citalopram was based on its association with prolonged QT interval only, and “in spite of the epidemiological data showing no difference in risk for arrhythmia [heart rhythm abnormality]”. The researchers say that certain SSRIs were not significantly associated with risk of prolonged QT interval, and that these medications may be preferable treatment options for people with other cardiac risk factors. Although this evidence backs up previous evidence in this area, the study has several limitations that should be considered. First, there is a risk that the manner in which patients were selected for the study may bias its results. This is because the researchers did not include all patients who were prescribed an antidepressant, but only those who underwent an ECG as well. As ECGs are not routinely conducted for patients treated with antidepressants, this may automatically have excluded patients at lower risk of having a prolonged QT interval, biasing the results towards those patients with prolonged QT intervals. The authors examined the differences between the participants included in the study...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Medication Mental health Source Type: news