Year: 2006 Source: Neuropsychopharmacology, v.31, no.1, (January 2006), p.178-181 SIEC No: 20061055

The association between exposure to antidepressants & suicidality was evaluated in a cohort of elderly Israeli patients suffering from major depressive disorder. This was a retrospective matched case-controlled evaluation over a 10-year period. The index group comprised 101 patients who had attempted suicide in the month prior to admission. The proportion of patients exposed to an antidepressant was significantly greater in the control group than in the group of patients who had attempted suicide. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors were prescribed in 29% of control group patients compared to 21% of patients in the index group. A concomitant presciptions of benzodiazepines also conferred a protective effect. (18 refs.)