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Junqueira DR, Zorzela L, Golder S, Loke Y, Gagnier JJ, Julious SA, Li T, Mayo-Wilson E, Pham B, Phillips R, Santaguida P, Scherer RW, Gøtzsche PC, Moher D, Ioannidis JPA, Vohra S. CONSORT Harms 2022 statement, explanation, and elaboration: updated guideline for the reporting of harms in randomized trials. J Clin Epidemiol 2023; 158:149-165. [PMID: 37100738 DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2023.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Randomized controlled trials remain the reference standard for healthcare research on effects of interventions, and the need to report both benefits and harms is essential. The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (the main CONSORT) statement includes one item on reporting harms (i.e., all important harms or unintended effects in each group). In 2004, the CONSORT group developed the CONSORT Harms extension; however, it has not been consistently applied and needs to be updated. Here, we describe CONSORT Harms 2022, which replaces the CONSORT Harms 2004 checklist, and shows how CONSORT Harms 2022 items could be incorporated into the main CONSORT checklist. Thirteen items from the main CONSORT were modified to improve harms reporting. Three new items were added. In this article, we describe CONSORT Harms 2022 and how it was integrated into the main CONSORT checklist and elaborate on each item relevant to complete reporting of harms in randomized controlled trials. Until future work from the CONSORT group produces an updated checklist, authors, journal reviewers, and editors of randomized controlled trials should use the integrated checklist presented in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela R Junqueira
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Liliane Zorzela
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Susan Golder
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - Yoon Loke
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Joel J Gagnier
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Surgery, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Steven A Julious
- Design, Trials and Statistics, School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Tianjing Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Evan Mayo-Wilson
- Department of Epidemiology, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ba Pham
- Knowledge Translation Programme, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rachel Phillips
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Pasqualina Santaguida
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact (HEI), McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - David Moher
- Centre for Journalology, Clinical Epidemiology Programme, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - John P A Ioannidis
- Departments of Medicine, of Epidemiology and Population Health, of Biomedical Data Science, and of Statistics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sunita Vohra
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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2
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Junqueira DR, Zorzela L, Golder S, Loke Y, Gagnier JJ, Julious SA, Li T, Mayo-Wilson E, Pham B, Phillips R, Santaguida P, Scherer RW, Gøtzsche PC, Moher D, Ioannidis JPA, Vohra S. CONSORT Harms 2022 statement, explanation, and elaboration: updated guideline for the reporting of harms in randomised trials. BMJ 2023; 381:e073725. [PMID: 37094878 DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2022-073725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniela R Junqueira
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Liliane Zorzela
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Susan Golder
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - Yoon Loke
- Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
| | - Joel J Gagnier
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Department of Surgery, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Steven A Julious
- Design, Trials and Statistics, School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Tianjing Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Evan Mayo-Wilson
- Department of Epidemiology, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ba Pham
- Knowledge Translation Programme, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Rachel Phillips
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Pasqualina Santaguida
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact (HEI), McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | | | | | - David Moher
- Centre for Journalology, Clinical Epidemiology Programme, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - John P A Ioannidis
- Departments of Medicine, of Epidemiology and Population Health, of Biomedical Data Science, and of Statistics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Sunita Vohra
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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3
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Westergren T, Narum S, Klemp M. Biases in reporting of adverse effects in clinical trials, and potential impact on safety assessments in systematic reviews and therapy guidelines. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2022; 131:465-473. [PMID: 36125975 PMCID: PMC9828682 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.13791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical trials are an important source of adverse effects data, including analyses in systematic reviews and recommendations in therapy guidelines. Trial publication bias may have profound effects on safety perceptions. This MiniReview presents and discusses biases in reporting of safety data in clinical trials and the implications for systematic reviews and guidelines. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this work are to analyse risk of gastrointestinal bleeding in systemic corticosteroid trials and to assess adverse effects reporting in a fluoxetine trial in depression (Treatment for Adolescents With Depression Study [TADS]) and descriptions of adverse effects in adolescent depression therapy guidelines. METHODS We performed literature reviews and descriptive analyse of clinical trials with corticosteroids, and publications from the TADS trial. Risk of gastrointestinal bleeding from corticosteroids was analysed by meta-analysis. FINDINGS Gastrointestinal bleeding definitions varied considerably between trials. The incidence was significantly increased in hospitalized, but not in ambulant, patients compared to placebo. We identified several biases concerning TADS safety reporting, including severity thresholds and nonpublication of most adverse effects data beyond the initial 12 weeks. Therapy guidelines on adolescent depression mentioned suicidality risk, but many failed to mention other adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS We identified several pitfalls in adverse effects reporting in clinical trials. These include heterogeneous disease definitions, reporting thresholds, and incomplete reporting. Trial bias may have great impact on risk assessments in systematic reviews and meta-analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tone Westergren
- Regional Medicines Information & Pharmacovigilance Centre (RELIS), Department of PharmacologyOslo University Hospital HFOsloNorway
| | - Sigrid Narum
- Centre for PsychopharmacologyDiakonhjemmet HospitalOsloNorway,Drugs and Therapeutics CommitteeDepartment of Pharmacology, Oslo University HospitalOsloNorway
| | - Marianne Klemp
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Clinical MedicineUniversity of OsloOsloNorway
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4
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Turner EH, Cipriani A, Furukawa TA, Salanti G, de Vries YA. Selective publication of antidepressant trials and its influence on apparent efficacy: Updated comparisons and meta-analyses of newer versus older trials. PLoS Med 2022; 19:e1003886. [PMID: 35045113 PMCID: PMC8769343 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Valid assessment of drug efficacy and safety requires an evidence base free of reporting bias. Using trial reports in Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug approval packages as a gold standard, we previously found that the published literature inflated the apparent efficacy of antidepressant drugs. The objective of the current study was to determine whether this has improved with recently approved drugs. METHODS AND FINDINGS Using medical and statistical reviews in FDA drug approval packages, we identified 30 Phase II/III double-blind placebo-controlled acute monotherapy trials, involving 13,747 patients, of desvenlafaxine, vilazodone, levomilnacipran, and vortioxetine; we then identified corresponding published reports. We compared the data from this newer cohort of antidepressants (approved February 2008 to September 2013) with the previously published dataset on 74 trials of 12 older antidepressants (approved December 1987 to August 2002). Using logistic regression, we examined the effects of trial outcome and trial cohort (newer versus older) on transparent reporting (whether published and FDA conclusions agreed). Among newer antidepressants, transparent publication occurred more with positive (15/15 = 100%) than negative (7/15 = 47%) trials (OR 35.1, CI95% 1.8 to 693). Controlling for trial outcome, transparent publication occurred more with newer than older trials (OR 6.6, CI95% 1.6 to 26.4). Within negative trials, transparent reporting increased from 11% to 47%. We also conducted and contrasted FDA- and journal-based meta-analyses. For newer antidepressants, FDA-based effect size (ESFDA) was 0.24 (CI95% 0.18 to 0.30), while journal-based effect size (ESJournals) was 0.29 (CI95% 0.23 to 0.36). Thus, effect size inflation, presumably due to reporting bias, was 0.05, less than for older antidepressants (0.10). Limitations of this study include a small number of trials and drugs-belonging to a single class-and a focus on efficacy (versus safety). CONCLUSIONS Reporting bias persists but appears to have diminished for newer, compared to older, antidepressants. Continued efforts are needed to further improve transparency in the scientific literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erick H. Turner
- Behavioral Health and Neurosciences Division, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Andrea Cipriani
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Warneford Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Precision Psychiatry Lab, NIHR Oxford Health Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Toshi A. Furukawa
- Department of Health Promotion and Human Behavior, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine/School of Public Health, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Georgia Salanti
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ymkje Anna de Vries
- Department of Psychiatry, Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion Regulation, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
- Developmental Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
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Hawkins EM, Coryell W, Leung S, Parikh SV, Weston C, Nestadt P, Nurnberger JI, Kaplin A, Kumar A, Farooqui AA, El-Mallakh RS. Effects of somatic treatments on suicidal ideation and completed suicides. Brain Behav 2021; 11:e2381. [PMID: 34661999 PMCID: PMC8613439 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This work was undertaken to define and characterize the role of currently available somatic treatments in psychiatry in either increasing or reducing the risk for suicide. METHODS Members of the Suicide Prevention Task Group of the National Network of Depression Centers performed a literature review of somatic treatments known to increase or reduce the risk for suicide. The reviews ventured to include all relevant information about the risk for both suicide ideation and completed suicides. RESULTS Lithium and clozapine are the only two somatic treatments that have high-quality data documenting their antisuicide effects in mood disorders and schizophrenia, respectively. Lithium discontinuation is also associated with increased suicide risk. Ketamine and esketamine may have a small, but immediate, antisuicide effect. Despite the recent Food and Drug Administration approval of esketamine use in depressed suicidal patients, the small disproportional overrepresentation of suicide in subjects who had received esketamine versus placebo (3 vs. 0 among > 3500 subjects) requires ongoing evaluation. The purported antisuicide effect of electroconvulsive therapy is based on low-quality data. The effect of antidepressants is not at all clear. There appears to be direct evidence for antidepressants increasing suicidal ideation and the risk for suicide over the short-term in young people, but indirect (low quality) evidence that antidepressants reduce suicide risk over the long term. CONCLUSIONS Clinicians have an expanding pharmacopeia to address suicide potential in their patients. Some of the agents with documented antisuicide effects may also increase suicidality under specific circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elise M Hawkins
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - William Coryell
- Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Stephen Leung
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Sagar V Parikh
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Cody Weston
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Paul Nestadt
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - John I Nurnberger
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Adam Kaplin
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Anupama Kumar
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ali A Farooqui
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| | - Rif S El-Mallakh
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
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- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
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6
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Hengartner MP, Plöderl M. Suicidality and other severe psychiatric events with duloxetine: Re-analysis of safety data from a placebo-controlled trial for juvenile fibromyalgia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RISK & SAFETY IN MEDICINE 2021; 32:209-218. [PMID: 34397423 DOI: 10.3233/jrs-200033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In antidepressant trials for pediatric patients with depression or anxiety disorders, the risk of suicidal events and other severe psychiatric adverse events such as aggression and agitation is increased with antidepressants relative to placebo. OBJECTIVE To examine whether largely mentally healthy adolescents treated for a non-psychiatric condition are also at increased risk of suicidality and other severe psychiatric disorders. METHODS This is a re-analysis of a placebo-controlled duloxetine trial for juvenile fibromyalgia based on the main journal article and additional data published in the online supplementary material and on ClinicalTrials.gov. Both serious adverse events related to psychiatric disorders and adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation were defined as severe treatment-emergent psychiatric adverse events. RESULTS We found that a significant portion of adolescents had treatment-emergent suicidal ideation and behaviour as well as other severe psychiatric adverse events with duloxetine, but no such events were recorded on placebo. The incidence of severe treatment-emergent psychiatric adverse events was statistically significantly higher with duloxetine as compared to placebo. CONCLUSIONS Antidepressants may put adolescents at risk of suicidality and other severe psychiatric disorders even when the treatment indication is not depression or anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Hengartner
- Department of Applied Psychology, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Switzerland.,Medical Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Plöderl
- Department of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention, Christian Doppler Clinic, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Austria
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7
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Juul S, Siddiqui F, Barbateskovic M, Jørgensen CK, Hengartner MP, Kirsch I, Gluud C, Jakobsen JC. Beneficial and harmful effects of antidepressants versus placebo, 'active placebo', or no intervention for adults with major depressive disorder: a protocol for a systematic review of published and unpublished data with meta-analyses and trial sequential analyses. Syst Rev 2021; 10:154. [PMID: 34034811 PMCID: PMC8152051 DOI: 10.1186/s13643-021-01705-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Major depressive disorder is one of the most common, burdensome, and costly psychiatric disorders worldwide. Antidepressants are frequently used to treat major depressive disorder. It has been shown repeatedly that antidepressants seem to reduce depressive symptoms with a statistically significant effect, but the clinical importance of the effect sizes seems questionable. Both beneficial and harmful effects of antidepressants have not previously been sufficiently assessed. The main objective of this review will be to evaluate the beneficial and harmful effects of antidepressants versus placebo, 'active placebo', or no intervention for adults with major depressive disorder. METHODS/DESIGN A systematic review with meta-analysis will be reported as recommended by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA), bias will be assessed with the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool-version 2 (ROB2), our eight-step procedure will be used to assess if the thresholds for clinical significance are crossed, Trial Sequential Analysis will be conducted to control for random errors, and the certainty of the evidence will be assessed with the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. To identify relevant trials, we will search both for published and unpublished trials in major medical databases from their inception to the present. Clinical study reports will be obtained from regulatory authorities and pharmaceutical companies. Two review authors will independently screen the results of the literature searches, extract data, and perform risk of bias assessment. We will include any published or unpublished randomised clinical trial comparing one or more antidepressants with placebo, 'active placebo', or no intervention for adults with major depressive disorder. The following active agents will be included: agomelatine, amineptine, amitriptyline, bupropion, butriptyline, cianopramine, citalopram, clomipramine, dapoxetine, demexiptiline, desipramine, desvenlafaxine, dibenzepin, dosulepin, dothiepin, doxepin, duloxetine, escitalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, imipramine, iprindole, levomilnacipran, lofepramine, maprotiline, melitracen, metapramine, milnacipran, mirtazapine, nefazodone, nortriptyline, noxiptiline, opipramol, paroxetine, protriptyline, quinupramine, reboxetine, sertraline, trazodone, tianeptine, trimipramine, venlafaxine, vilazodone, and vortioxetine. Primary outcomes will be depressive symptoms, serious adverse events, and quality of life. Secondary outcomes will be suicide or suicide attempt, suicidal ideation, and non-serious adverse events. DISCUSSION As antidepressants are commonly used to treat major depressive disorder in adults, a systematic review evaluating their beneficial and harmful effects is urgently needed. This review will inform best practice in treatment and clinical research of this highly prevalent and burdensome disorder. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO CRD42020220279.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Juul
- Stolpegaard Psychotherapy Centre, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Stolpegaardsvej 28, 2820, Gentofte, Denmark. .,Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Østre Farimagsgade 2A, København K, 1353, Copenhagen, Denmark. .,Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, The Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospital -- Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Faiza Siddiqui
- Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, The Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospital -- Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Marija Barbateskovic
- Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, The Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospital -- Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Caroline Kamp Jørgensen
- Stolpegaard Psychotherapy Centre, Mental Health Services in the Capital Region of Denmark, Stolpegaardsvej 28, 2820, Gentofte, Denmark.,Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Østre Farimagsgade 2A, København K, 1353, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, The Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospital -- Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Pascal Hengartner
- Department of Applied Psychology, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Pfingstweidstrasse 96, 8005, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Irving Kirsch
- Program in Placebo Studies, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts, 02215, USA
| | - Christian Gluud
- Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, The Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospital -- Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Regional Health Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 19, 3, 5000, Odense C, Denmark
| | - Janus Christian Jakobsen
- Copenhagen Trial Unit, Centre for Clinical Intervention Research, The Capital Region, Copenhagen University Hospital -- Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Regional Health Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, J.B. Winsløws Vej 19, 3, 5000, Odense C, Denmark
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8
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Hengartner MP, Amendola S, Kaminski JA, Kindler S, Bschor T, Plöderl M. Suicide risk with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other new-generation antidepressants in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. J Epidemiol Community Health 2021; 75:jech-2020-214611. [PMID: 33685964 DOI: 10.1136/jech-2020-214611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is ongoing controversy whether antidepressant use alters suicide risk in adults with depression and other treatment indications. METHODS Systematic review of observational studies, searching MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, PsycARTICLES and SCOPUS for case-control and cohort studies. We included studies on depression and various indications unspecified (including off-label use) reporting risk of suicide and/or suicide attempt for adult patients using selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and other new-generation antidepressants relative to non-users. Effects were meta-analytically aggregated with random-effects models, reporting relative risk (RR) estimates with 95% CIs. Publication bias was assessed via funnel-plot asymmetry and trim-and-fill method. Financial conflict of interest (fCOI) was defined present when lead authors' professorship was industry-sponsored, they received industry-payments, or when the study was industry-sponsored. RESULTS We included 27 studies, 19 on depression and 8 on various indications unspecified (n=1.45 million subjects). SSRI were not definitely related to suicide risk (suicide and suicide attempt combined) in depression (RR=1.03, 0.70-1.51) and all indications (RR=1.19, 0.88-1.60). Any new-generation antidepressant was associated with higher suicide risk in depression (RR=1.29, 1.06-1.57) and all indications (RR=1.45, 1.23-1.70). Studies with fCOI reported significantly lower risk estimates than studies without fCOI. Funnel-plots were asymmetrical and imputation of missing studies with trim-and-fill method produced considerably higher risk estimates. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to new-generation antidepressants is associated with higher suicide risk in adult routine-care patients with depression and other treatment indications. Publication bias and fCOI likely contribute to systematic underestimation of risk in the published literature. REGISTRATION Open Science Framework, https://osf.io/eaqwn/.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Hengartner
- Department of Applied Psychology, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Simone Amendola
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy
| | - Jakob A Kaminski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charite Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Simone Kindler
- Psychotherapist in Private Practice, Winterthur, Switzerland
| | - Tom Bschor
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Plöderl
- Department of Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention, Christian Doppler Clinic, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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9
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Hughes S, Rondeau M, Shannon S, Sharp J, Ivins G, Lee J, Taylor I, Bendixsen B. A Holistic Self-learning Approach for Young Adult Depression and Anxiety Compared to Medication-Based Treatment-As-Usual. Community Ment Health J 2021; 57:392-402. [PMID: 32577998 DOI: 10.1007/s10597-020-00666-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
A package of biopsychosocial services for young adults experiencing psychological distress was evaluated and compared to usual outpatient psychiatric care. Young adults (18-25) with moderate-to-severe symptoms of depression and/or anxiety (n = 26) were enrolled in a 13-week intervention consisting of nutritional coaching and multi-vitamin supplements, weekly educational and peer support groups, and a modest financial stipend to engage with physical or expressive activities. A comparison group (n = 13) continued with their usual medication-based outpatient care. Program participants reported significantly improved depression, anxiety, severity of distress, overall quality of life, and empowerment over 4 months, with progress maintained or further improved at 2-month follow-up. No evidence of change on any outcome was observed for comparison group participants. Although long-term impacts on mental health trajectories and reliance on psychotropic medications remain unknown, a holistic self-learning approach is a viable alternative to standard outpatient psychiatric care for young adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon Hughes
- School of Social Work, Colorado State University, 1586 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO, 80523, USA.
- Department of Community and Behavioral Health, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, USA.
| | | | | | - Julia Sharp
- Department of Statistics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, USA
| | - Grace Ivins
- Department of Statistics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, USA
| | - JeongJin Lee
- Department of Statistics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, USA
| | - Ian Taylor
- Department of Statistics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, USA
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10
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Alsamil AM, Giezen TJ, Egberts TC, Leufkens HG, Gardarsdottir H. Comparison of consistency and complementarity of reporting biosimilar quality attributes between regulatory and scientific communities: An adalimumab case study. Biologicals 2021; 69:30-37. [PMID: 33454195 DOI: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2020.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Biosimilar approval relies on the comparability of quality attributes (QAs), for which information can be derived from regulatory or scientific communities. Limited information is known about whether these sources are consistent with or complementary to each other. The consistency and complementarity of QA reporting in biosimilarity assessments for adalimumab biosimilars approved by the European Medicines Agency in European public assessment reports (EPARs) and scientific publications was assessed. A classification of 77 different QAs (53 structural and 24 functional attributes) was used to assess the types of and information on QAs reported. Six adalimumab biosimilars were analyzed, for which the number of QAs reported in EPARs and publications varied (range = 47 [61%]-60 [78%]). The proportion of QAs consistently reported in both sources varied (range = 28%-75%) among biosimilars; functional QAs (mean = 21 QAs [88%]; range = 19-23) were more consistently reported than structural QAs (mean = 33 QAs [62%]; range = 27-34). The EPARs frequently reported biosimilarity interpretation without providing test results (9-57 QAs in EPARs versus 0-8 QAs in publications), whereas publications frequently reported both test results and interpretations (13-40 QAs in publications versus 0-3 QAs in EPARs). Both sources provided information on the biosimilarity of QAs in a complementary manner and the same biosimilarity interpretation of test results for reported QAs (mean = 90%; range = 78%-100%), with a small discrepancy in biosimilarity interpretations of a few clinically relevant QAs related to post-translation modifications and biological activity. Comprehensive reporting of QAs can contribute to an improved understanding of the role of structural and functional attributes in establishing biosimilarity and the mechanism of action of biological substances in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali M Alsamil
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Pharmaceutical Product Evaluation Directorate, Drug Sector, Saudi Food and Drug Authority, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Thijs J Giezen
- Foundation Pharmacy for Hospitals in Haarlem, Haarlem, the Netherlands; Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Spaarne Gasthuis, Haarlem, the Netherlands
| | - Toine C Egberts
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Hubert G Leufkens
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Helga Gardarsdottir
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.
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11
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Minnema LA, Giezen TJ, Egberts TCG, Leufkens HGM, Gardarsdottir H. Adverse events related to biologicals used for patients with multiple sclerosis: a comparison between information originating from regulators and information originating from the scientific community. Eur J Neurol 2020; 27:1250-1256. [PMID: 32298524 PMCID: PMC7384026 DOI: 10.1111/ene.14259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background and purpose Clinical decision making is facilitated by healthcare professionals’ and patients’ adequate knowledge of the adverse events. This is especially important for biologicals used for treating multiple sclerosis (MS). So far, little is known about whether different information sources report adverse events consistently. Methods Biologicals authorized by the European Medicines Agency for the treatment of MS were included in this study. Information on adverse events derived from phase 3 clinical trials from European Public Assessment Reports (EPARs) and from scientific publications was compared. Results In the study, eight biologicals used for the treatment of MS were included for which the EPAR and/or scientific publication reported a total of 707 adverse events. Approximately one‐third of the adverse events was reported in both the EPAR and scientific publication, one‐third was only reported in the EPAR and one‐third only in the scientific publication. Serious adverse events and adverse events that regulators classified as ‘important identified risk’ were significantly more often reported in both sources compared to adverse events not classified as such (respectively, 38% vs. 30% and 49% vs. 30%). Adverse events only reported in the EPAR or in the scientific publication were, in general, not described in the benefit–risk section or abstract, which were considered to be the most important sections of the documents. Conclusions This study showed that there is substantial discordance in the reporting of adverse events on the same phase 3 trials between EPARs and scientific publications. To support optimal clinical decision making, both documents should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- L A Minnema
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Medicines Evaluation Board, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - T J Giezen
- Medicines Evaluation Board, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Foundation Pharmacy for Hospitals in Haarlem, Haarlem, The Netherlands.,Spaarne Gasthuis, Haarlem, The Netherlands
| | - T C G Egberts
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - H G M Leufkens
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - H Gardarsdottir
- Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Clinical Pharmacy, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
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12
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Sluiter MN, Wienen AW, Thoutenhoofd ED, Doornenbal JM, Batstra L. Teachers’ role and attitudes concerning ADHD medication: A qualitative analysis. PSYCHOLOGY IN THE SCHOOLS 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/pits.22270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maruschka N. Sluiter
- Department of Developmental PsychologyUniversity of GroningenGroningen The Netherlands
- Professorship Youth, Education and SocietyHanze University of Applied Sciences GroningenGroningen The Netherlands
| | - Albert W. Wienen
- Department of Developmental PsychologyUniversity of GroningenGroningen The Netherlands
| | | | - Jeannette M. Doornenbal
- Professorship Youth, Education and SocietyHanze University of Applied Sciences GroningenGroningen The Netherlands
| | - Laura Batstra
- Department of Special Needs Education and Child CareUniversity of GroningenGroningen The Netherlands
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13
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Multiple possible inaccuracies cast doubt on a recent report suggesting selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors to be toxic and ineffective. Acta Neuropsychiatr 2018; 30:244-250. [PMID: 28718394 DOI: 10.1017/neu.2017.23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
According to a systematic review on the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) in adult depression that was recently published in BMC Psychiatry, the results of which have been widely disseminated in lay media, these drugs increase the risk for serious adverse events (SAEs) while exerting poor antidepressant efficacy. A cursory analysis, however, suggests the analysis of SAEs conducted by the authors to be marred by both methodological inaccuracies and blatant errors. After having corrected for these apparent mistakes, we conducted a sensitivity analysis in which we also accounted for a possible moderating effect of age; while this suggests SSRIs to be safe drugs in the non-elderly, they do confirm what is already known, that is, that they may enhance the risk for SAEs in the old. Given the loose definition of SAE, including also innocuous phenomena, the possible clinical significance of the latter observation, however, remains unclear until the nature and actual impact of the SAEs in question have been clarified. Moreover, with respect to efficacy, we find the paper in BMC Psychiatry misleading: first, the authors seem unaware of the well-established shortcomings associated with the conventional efficacy parameter on which their analysis is based, second, they have included suboptimal SSRI doses and third, they have missed some pivotal trials. Unless there are explanations for the many peculiarities in this paper that have escaped us, and which may be satisfactorily clarified by the authors, it seems important that the conclusions presented in this paper be publicly rectified.
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14
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Dal-Ré R. How to improve the integrity of clinical trial articles. REVISTA DE PSIQUIATRIA Y SALUD MENTAL 2018; 11:189-191. [PMID: 29625891 DOI: 10.1016/j.rpsm.2018.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Dal-Ré
- Unidad de Epidemiología, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria-Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, España.
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15
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Yang A, Baxi S, Korenstein D. ClinicalTrials.gov for Facilitating Rapid Understanding of Potential Harms of New Drugs: The Case of Checkpoint Inhibitors. J Oncol Pract 2018; 14:72-76. [PMID: 29298113 DOI: 10.1200/jop.2017.025114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Annie Yang
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
| | - Shrujal Baxi
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
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16
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de Vries YA, Roest AM, de Jonge P. The potential of individual patient data for research on antidepressant safety and efficacy. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2017; 27:695-696. [PMID: 27890539 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2016.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 11/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ymkje Anna de Vries
- Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion regulation, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Annelieke M Roest
- Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion regulation, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter de Jonge
- Interdisciplinary Center Psychopathology and Emotion regulation, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands; Developmental Psychology, Department of Psychology, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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17
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Hutton B, Wolfe D, Moher D, Shamseer L. Reporting guidance considerations from a statistical perspective: overview of tools to enhance the rigour of reporting of randomised trials and systematic reviews. EVIDENCE-BASED MENTAL HEALTH 2017; 20:46-52. [PMID: 28363989 PMCID: PMC10688516 DOI: 10.1136/eb-2017-102666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Research waste has received considerable attention from the biomedical community. One noteworthy contributor is incomplete reporting in research publications. When detailing statistical methods and results, ensuring analytic methods and findings are completely documented improves transparency. For publications describing randomised trials and systematic reviews, guidelines have been developed to facilitate complete reporting. This overview summarises aspects of statistical reporting in trials and systematic reviews of health interventions. METHODS A narrative approach to summarise features regarding statistical methods and findings from reporting guidelines for trials and reviews was taken. We aim to enhance familiarity of statistical details that should be reported in biomedical research among statisticians and their collaborators. RESULTS We summarise statistical reporting considerations for trials and systematic reviews from guidance documents including the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) Statement for reporting of trials, the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) Statement for trial protocols, the Statistical Analyses and Methods in the Published Literature (SAMPL) Guidelines for statistical reporting principles, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) Statement for systematic reviews and PRISMA for Protocols (PRISMA-P). Considerations regarding sharing of study data and statistical code are also addressed. CONCLUSIONS Reporting guidelines provide researchers with minimum criteria for reporting. If followed, they can enhance research transparency and contribute improve quality of biomedical publications. Authors should employ these tools for planning and reporting of their research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Hutton
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada;
- School of Epidemiology, Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Ottawa University,Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Dianna Wolfe
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada;
| | - David Moher
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada;
- School of Epidemiology, Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Ottawa University,Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Larissa Shamseer
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada;
- School of Epidemiology, Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Ottawa University,Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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18
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Braillon A, Naudet F. Bias in the reporting of harms in clinical trials of second-generation antidepressants: The tip of the iceberg? Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2017; 27:289-290. [PMID: 27887861 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2016.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 11/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Serious adverse events are poorly reported in clinical trials of second-generation antidepressants. Moreover some key opinion leaders (eg. in France) deliberately failed to warn against them. The gross distortions of antidepressants' benefit:harm ratio in adolescents showed evidence that open science (ie access to de-identified individual patient data for re-analyses) is a mandatory prerequisite for a trustworthy science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alain Braillon
- Alcohol Treatment Unit, Amiens University Hospital, 80000 Amiens, France.
| | - Florian Naudet
- Meta-Research Innovation Center (METRICS), Stanford University, 94304 Palo Alto, CA, USA
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Hengartner MP. Methodological Flaws, Conflicts of Interest, and Scientific Fallacies: Implications for the Evaluation of Antidepressants' Efficacy and Harm. Front Psychiatry 2017; 8:275. [PMID: 29270136 PMCID: PMC5725408 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In current psychiatric practice, antidepressants are widely and with ever-increasing frequency prescribed to patients. However, several scientific biases obfuscate estimates of antidepressants' efficacy and harm, and these are barely recognized in treatment guidelines. The aim of this mini-review is to critically evaluate the efficacy and harm of antidepressants for acute and maintenance treatment with respect to systematic biases related to industry funding and trial methodology. METHODS Narrative review based on a comprehensive search of the literature. RESULTS It is shown that the pooled efficacy of antidepressants is weak and below the threshold of a minimally clinically important change once publication and reporting biases are considered. Moreover, the small mean difference in symptom reductions relative to placebo is possibly attributable to observer effects in unblinded assessors and patient expectancies. With respect to trial dropout rates, a hard outcome not subjected to observer bias, no difference was observed between antidepressants and placebo. The discontinuation trials on the efficacy of antidepressants in maintenance therapy are systematically flawed, because in these studies, spontaneous remitters are excluded, whereas half of all patients who remitted on antidepressants are abruptly switched to placebo. This can cause a severe withdrawal syndrome that is easily misdiagnosed as a relapse when assessed on subjective symptom rating scales. In accordance, the findings of naturalistic long-term studies suggest that maintenance therapy has no clear benefit, and non-drug users do not show increased recurrence rates. Moreover, a growing body of evidence from hundreds of randomized controlled trials suggests that antidepressants cause suicidality, but this risk is underestimated because data from industry-funded trials are systematically flawed. Unselected, population-wide observational studies indicate that depressive patients who use antidepressants are at an increased risk of suicide and that they have a higher rate of all-cause mortality than matched controls. CONCLUSION The strong reliance on industry-funded research results in an uncritical approval of antidepressants. Due to several flaws such as publication and reporting bias, unblinding of outcome assessors, concealment and recoding of serious adverse events, the efficacy of antidepressants is systematically overestimated, and harm is systematically underestimated. Therefore, I conclude that antidepressants are largely ineffective and potentially harmful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Hengartner
- Department of Applied Psychology, Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Zurich, Switzerland
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