Citation

Högberg GN, Bremberg SG. Eur. J. Public Health 2019; 29(2): 365-367.

Affiliation

Public Health Agency of Sweden, Solna, Sweden.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/eurpub/cky268

PMID

30590506

Abstract

Clinical trials suggest that antidepressants increase the risk of self-harm injuries (SHI). The aim was to investigate associations between antidepressants' use and the rate of change of SHI in 17 countries over the period 2000-16, with initial levels of SHI taken into account. The rate of change of SHI seems mainly (81%) determined by initial rates. The rate of SHI decreased in most countries. The decrease was slower in countries with a high level of antidepressants' use and in countries with an increase of depressive disorders. The study indicates that the use of antidepressants might increase the risk of SHI.

Language: en