Spillover Effects on Treatment of Adult Depression in Primary Care After FDA Advisory on Risk of Pediatric Suicidality With SSRIs

In 2003, the American Food & Drug Administration issued a public health advisory about the risk of suicidality in pediatric patients taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. This study examined the effects of this pediatric policy on treatment of adults with depression in the community. The rate of diagnosed depression was significantly lower after the advisory than would have been expected on the basis of the preadvisory historical trend. The percentage of adults with depression who did not receive an antidepressant increased from an average of 20% before the policy action to an average of 30%. Despite the focus on pediatric patients, the policy had a significant spillover effect on the treatment of adults with depression. (25 refs.)