Modeling of the Temporal Patterns of Fluoxetine Prescriptions and Suicide Rates in the United States
2006
Modeling Fluoxetine Prescriptions and Suicide Rates
Sample size: 4410
publication
Evidence: high
Author Information
Author(s): Julio Licinio
Primary Institution: University of Miami
Hypothesis
Is the correlation between increased antidepressant prescriptions and decreased suicide rates due to better recognition of depression?
Conclusion
Increased medical visits do not treat major depression, but antidepressants do have a positive effect on preventing relapse.
Supporting Evidence
- Data from 31 randomized trials showed that continuing antidepressant treatment reduced relapse odds by 70%.
- The average relapse rate on placebo was 41% compared to 18% on active treatment.
Takeaway
Seeing a doctor more often doesn't stop people from feeling very sad, but taking medicine can help them feel better.
Methodology
The study involved mathematical modeling of suicide rates using pre-1988 data.
Potential Biases
The author has consulted for Eli Lilly, but this relationship did not influence the study.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.00001
Confidence Interval
95% CI 62–78
Statistical Significance
p<0.00001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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