Frequency of Provider Contact After FDA Advisory on Risk of Pediatric Suicidality With SSRIs

In this study, the authors compared trends in the frequency of provider contacts for patients with depression before & after the advisory of pediatric suicidality & antidepressants. Retrospective cohorts of 27,370 children & 193,151 adults with new episodes of depression treated with antidepressants were created from a national claims database of managed care plans (1998-2005). Less than 5% of all patients met contact recommendations before the advisory, & the rate did not change after the advisory. Contrary to expectations, the frequency of visits by patients with new episodes of depression treated with antidepressants did not increase after the October 2003 advisory was issued. (27 refs)