Additive effects of childhood abuse and cannabis abuse on clinical expressions of bipolar disorders

BACKGROUND

Previous studies of bipolar disorders indicate that childhood abuse and substance abuse are associated with the disorder. Whether both influence the clinical picture, or if one is mediating the association of the other, has not previously been investigated.

METHOD

A total of 587 patients with bipolar disorders were recruited from Norway and France. A history of childhood abuse was obtained using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Diagnosis and clinical variables, including substance abuse, were based on structured clinical interviews (Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I disorders or French version of the Diagnostic Interview for Genetic Studies).

RESULTS

Cannabis abuse was significantly associated with childhood abuse, specifically emotional and sexual abuse (χ 2 = 8.63, p = 0.003 and χ 2 = 7.55, p = 0.006, respectively). Cannabis abuse was significantly associated with earlier onset of the illness (z = -4.17, p < 0.001), lifetime history of at least one suicide attempt (χ 2 = 11.16, p = 0.001) and a trend for rapid cycling (χ 2 = 3.45, p = 0.06). Alcohol dependence was associated with suicide attempt (χ 2 = 10.28, p = 0.001), but not with age at onset or rapid cycling. After correcting for possible confounders and multiple testing, a trend was observed for an interaction between cannabis abuse and childhood abuse and suicide attempt (logistic regression: r 2 = 0.06, p = 0.039). Significant additive effects were also observed between cannabis abuse and childhood abuse on earlier age at onset (p < 0.001), increased rapid cycling and suicide attempt (logistic regression: r 2 = 0.03-0.04, p < 0.001). No mediation effects were observed; childhood abuse and cannabis abuse were independently associated with the disorder.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study is the first to demonstrate significant additive effects, but no mediation effects, between childhood abuse and cannabis abuse on increased clinical expressions of bipolar disorders.

Antidepressant prescription patterns and CNS polypharmacy with antidepressants among children, adolescents, and young adults: a population-based study in Sweden

This study examines trends in antidepressant drug dispensations among young people aged 0-24 years in Sweden during the period 2006-2013, as well as prescription patterns and central nervous system (CNS) polypharmacy with antidepressants. Using linkage of Swedish national registers, we identified all Swedish residents aged 0-24 years that collected at least one antidepressant prescription (here defined as antidepressant users) between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2013 (n = 174,237), and categorized them as children (0-11 years), adolescents (12-17 years), and young adults (18-24 years). Prevalence of antidepressant dispensation rose from 1.4 to 2.1% between 2006 and 2013, with the greatest relative increase in adolescents [by 97.8% in males (from 0.6 to 1.3%) and by 86.3% in females (from 1.1 to 2.1%)]. Most individuals across age categories were prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, received their prescriptions from psychiatric specialist care, and had treatment periods of over 12 months. Prevalence of CNS polypharmacy (dispensation of other CNS drug classes in addition to antidepressants) increased across age categories, with an overall increase in prevalence from 52.4% in 2006 to 62.1% in 2013. Children experienced the largest increase in polypharmacy of three or more psychotropic drug classes (4.4-10.1%). Anxiolytics, hypnotics, and sedatives comprised the most common additional CNS drug class among persons who were prescribed antidepressants. These findings show that the dispensation of antidepressants among the young is prevalent and growing in Sweden. The substantial degree of CNS polypharmacy in young patients receiving antidepressants requires careful monitoring and further research into potential benefits and harms.

Current Genetic Service Delivery Models for the Provision of Genetic Testing in Europe: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Background: The provision of genetic services, along with research in the fields of genomics and genetics, has evolved in recent years to meet the increasing demand of consumers interested in prediction of genetic diseases and various inherited traits. The aim of this study is to evaluate genetic services in order to identify and classify delivery models for the provision of genetic testing in European and in extra-European countries. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted using five electronic resources. Inclusion criteria were that studies be published in English or Italian during the period 2000-2015 and carried out in European or extra-European countries (Canada, USA, Australia, or New Zealand). Results: 148 genetic programs were identified in 117 articles and were delivered mostly in the UK (59, 40%), USA (35, 24%) or Australia (16, 11%). The programs were available nationally (66; 45%), regionally (49; 33%) or in urban areas (21, 14%). Ninety-six (64%) of the programs were integrated into healthcare systems, 48 (32.21%) were pilot programs and five (3%) were direct-to-consumer genetic services. The genetic tests offered were mainly for BRCA1/2 (59, 40%), Lynch syndrome (23, 16%), and newborn screening (18, 12%). Healthcare professionals with different backgrounds are increasingly engaged in the provision of genetic services. Based on which healthcare professionals have prominent roles in the respective patient care pathways, genetic programs were classified into five models: (i) the geneticists model; (ii) the primary care model; (iii) the medical specialist model; (iv) the population screening programs model; and (v) the direct-to-consumer model. Conclusions: New models of genetic service delivery are currently under development worldwide to address the increasing demand for accessible and affordable services. These models require the integration of genetics into all medical specialties, collaboration among different healthcare professionals, and the redistribution of professional roles. An appropriate model for genetic service provision in a specific setting should ideally be defined according to the type of healthcare system, the genetic test provided within a genetic program, and the cost-effectiveness of the intervention. Only applications with proven efficacy and cost-effectiveness should be implemented in healthcare systems and made available to all citizens.

Maternal pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity and the risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in offspring: a systematic review, meta-analysis and quasi-experimental family-based study

BACKGROUND

Previous studies are inconclusive concerning the association between maternal pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity and risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in offspring. We therefore conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to clarify this association. To address the variation in confounding adjustment between studies, especially inadequate adjustment of unmeasured familial confounding in most studies, we further performed cousin and sibling comparisons in a nationwide population-based cohort in Sweden.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase and PsycINFO during 1975-2018. We used random-effects models to calculate pooled risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence interval. In the population-based study, Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate the unadjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and HRs adjusted for all confounders identified in previous studies. Stratified Cox models were applied to data on full cousins and full siblings to further control for unmeasured familial confounding.

RESULTS

Eight cohorts with a total of 784 804 mother-child pairs were included in the meta-analysis. Maternal overweight [RRoverweight = 1.31 (1.25-1.38), I2 = 6.80%] and obesity [RRobesity = 1.92 (1.84-2.00), I2 = 0.00%] were both associated with an increased risk of ADHD in offspring. In the population-based cohort of 971 501 individuals born between 1992 and 2004, unadjusted Cox models revealed similar associations [HRoverweight = 1.30 (1.28-1.34), HRobesity = 1.92 (1.87-1.98)]. These associations gradually attenuated towards the null when adjusted for measured confounders [HRoverweight = 1.21 (1.19-1.25), HRobesity = 1.60 (1.55-1.65)], unmeasured factors shared by cousins [HRoverweight = 1.10 (0.98-1.23), HRobesity = 1.44 (1.22-1.70)] and unmeasured factors shared by siblings [HRoverweight = 1.01 (0.92-1.11), HRobesity = 1.10 (0.94-1.27)].

CONCLUSION

Pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity is associated with an increased risk of ADHD in offspring. The observed association is largely due to unmeasured familial confounding.

Equity and Value in 'Precision Medicine'

Precision medicine carries huge potential in the treatment of many diseases, particularly those with high-penetrance monogenic underpinnings. However, precision medicine through genomic technologies also has ethical implications. We will define allocative, personal, and technical value ('triple value') in healthcare and how this relates to equity. Equity is here taken to be implicit in the concept of triple value in countries that have publicly funded healthcare systems. It will be argued that precision medicine risks concentrating resources to those that already experience greater access to healthcare and power in society, nationally as well as globally. Healthcare payers, clinicians, and patients must all be involved in optimising the potential of precision medicine, without reducing equity. Throughout, the discussion will refer to the NHS RightCare Programme, which is a national initiative aiming to improve value and equity in the context of NHS England.

Prediction of treatment dosage and duration from free-text prescriptions: an application to ADHD medications in the Swedish prescribed drug register

BACKGROUND

Accurate estimation of daily dosage and duration of medication use is essential to pharmacoepidemiological studies using electronic healthcare databases. However, such information is not directly available in many prescription databases, including the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register.

OBJECTIVE

To develop and validate an algorithm for predicting prescribed daily dosage and treatment duration from free-text prescriptions, and apply the algorithm to ADHD medication prescriptions.

METHODS

We developed an algorithm to predict daily dosage from free-text prescriptions using 8000 ADHD medication prescriptions as the training sample, and estimated treatment periods while taking into account several features including titration, stockpiling and non-perfect adherence. The algorithm was implemented to all ADHD medication prescriptions from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register in 2013. A validation sample of 1000 ADHD medication prescriptions, independent of the training sample, was used to assess the accuracy for predicted daily dosage.

FINDINGS

In the validation sample, the overall accuracy for predicting daily dosage was 96.8%. Specifically, the natural language processing model (NLP1 and NLP2) have an accuracy of 99.2% and 96.3%, respectively. In an application to ADHD medication prescriptions in 2013, young adult ADHD medication users had the highest probability of discontinuing treatments as compared with other age groups. The daily dose of methylphenidate use increased with age substantially.

CONCLUSIONS

The algorithm provides a flexible approach to estimate prescribed daily dosage and treatment duration from free-text prescriptions using register data. The algorithm showed a good performance for predicting daily dosage in external validation.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

The structured output of the algorithm could serve as basis for future pharmacoepidemiological studies evaluating utilization, effectiveness, and safety of medication use, which would facilitate evidence-based treatment decision-making.

Current state of genomic policies in healthcare among EU member states: results of a survey of chief medical officers

Background

A need for a governance of genomics in healthcare among European Union (EU) countries arose during an international meeting of experts on public health genomics (PHG). We have conducted a survey on existing national genomic policies in healthcare among Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) of the 28 EU member states, plus Norway.

Methods

A questionnaire was sent to CMOs after a meeting on the policy implications of PHG held during the Italian presidency of the Council of EU in 2014. The survey was closed in November 2015.

Results

CMOs response rate was 65.5% (19/29). Twelve (63.2%) reported that their countries had a policy for genomics in healthcare in place, and 15 (78.9%) reported that public funding existed. Public research facilities for the development of such policies were documented in 13 (68.4%) countries, and 15 (83.3%) had working groups devoted to policy development. National agencies carrying out Health Technology Assessment of genomic-based technologies were present in nine countries (50%). Sixteen (88.9%) countries reported having agencies dealing with ethical issues related to genomic technologies. About 55% of countries disclosed the lack of information campaigns aimed at citizens, and 44.4% reported they had a legal framework for direct-to-consumer genetic tests.

Conclusion

Belgium, France, Italy, Spain and UK documented the presence of a policy on genomics in healthcare. While many caveats are necessary because of the methodology, results suggest a need for a co-ordinated effort to foster development and harmonization of dedicated policies across EU to responsibly integrate genomics policies into existing health systems.

Patient experience and utility of genetic information: a cross-sectional study among patients tested for cancer susceptibility and thrombophilia

We evaluated whether genetic tests with evidence of clinical and personal utility (i.e. APC and BRCA1/2 tests) are associated with higher satisfaction and a more positive perception of care experience than those with undefined utility (i.e. tests for thrombophilia). A cross-sectional survey was performed through telephone interviews to patients tested for deleterious variants in APC or BRCA1/2 genes, or for inherited thrombophilia (FV Leiden and/or FIIG20210A) during a 5-year period (2008-2012). Three aspects of patient experience were assessed: effective communication through pre- and post-test genetic counselling; collaboration between caregivers on the management of patient care; and impact of genetic testing on quality of life. Overall 237 patients had telephone interviews. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that patients tested for APC or BRCA1/2 variants were more likely to be satisfied with both pre- and post-test counselling than those tested for inherited thrombophilia (APC vs. thrombophilia, p = 0.039 and 0.005; BRCA1/2 vs. thrombophilia, p = 0.030 and <0.001). Patients tested for APC were more likely to report an improvement in quality of life than those for thrombophilia (OR = 2.97, 95%CI 1.14, 7.72; p = 0.025). A positive association was observed between patients who underwent BRCA1/2 testing, and self-perceived improvement in quality of life (OR = 1.41, 95%CI 0.74, 2.69; p = 0.294). Tests of undefined clinical and personal utility are associated with a lower degree of patient satisfaction with genetic counselling and no clear opinions on changes in quality of life compared with those with well-defined utility.

Identification of Delivery Models for the Provision of Predictive Genetic Testing in Europe: Protocol for a Multicentre Qualitative Study and a Systematic Review of the Literature

INTRODUCTION

The appropriate application of genomic technologies in healthcare is surrounded by many concerns. In particular, there is a lack of evidence on what constitutes an optimal genetic service delivery model, which depends on the type of genetic test and healthcare context considered. The present project aims to identify, classify, and evaluate delivery models for the provision of predictive genetic testing in Europe and in selected Anglophone extra-European countries (the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand). It also sets out to survey the European public health community's readiness to incorporate public health genomics into their practice.

MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT

The project consists of (i) a systematic review of published literature and selected country websites, (ii) structured interviews with health experts on the genetic service delivery models in their respective countries, and (iii) a survey of European Public Health Association (EUPHA) members' knowledge and attitudes toward genomics applications in clinical practice. The inclusion criteria for the systematic review are that articles be published in the period 2000-2015; be in English or Italian; and be from European countries or from Canada, the USA, Australia, or New Zealand. Additional policy documents will be retrieved from represented countries' government-affiliated websites. The results of the research will be disseminated through the EUPHA network, the Italian Network for Genomics in Public Health (GENISAP), and seminars and workshops.

EXPECTED IMPACT OF THE STUDY ON PUBLIC HEALTH

The transfer of genomic technologies from research to clinical application is influenced not only by several factors inherent to research goals and delivery of healthcare but also by external and commercial interests that may cause the premature introduction of genetic tests in the public and private sectors. Furthermore, current genetic services are delivered without a standardized set of process and outcome measures, which makes the evaluation of healthcare services difficult. The present study will identify and classify delivery models and, subsequently, establish which are appropriate for the provision of predictive genetic testing in Europe by comparing sets of process and outcome measures. In this way, the study will provide a basis for future recommendations to decision makers involved in the financing, delivery, and consumption of genetic services.

Antidepressant Use and Risk of Manic Episodes in Children and Adolescents With Unipolar Depression

Importance

Antidepressants are increasingly prescribed to pediatric patients with unipolar depression, but little is known about the risk of treatment-emergent mania. Previous research suggests pediatric patients may be particularly vulnerable to this adverse outcome.

Objective

To estimate whether pediatric patients treated with antidepressants have an increased incidence of mania/hypomania compared with patients not treated with antidepressants and to identify patient characteristics associated with the risk of mania/hypomania.

Design, Setting, and Participants

In a cohort study applying the target trial emulation framework, nationwide inpatient and outpatient care in Sweden from July 1, 2006, to December 31, 2019, was evaluated. Follow-up was conducted for 12 and 52 weeks after treatment initiation, with administrative follow-up ending December 31, 2020. Data were analyzed between May 1, 2022, and June 28, 2023. Individuals aged 4 to 17 years with a diagnosis of depression, but without a prior diagnosis of mania/hypomania, bipolar disorder, or psychosis or treatment with mood stabilizer (lithium, valproate, or carbamazepine), prescriptions were included.

Exposures

The treatment group included patients who initiated any antidepressant medication within 90 days of diagnosis. The control group included patients who did not initiate antidepressants within 90 days.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Diagnosis of mania/hypomania or initiation of mood stabilizer therapy. Incidences were estimated with Kaplan-Meier estimator, and inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to adjust for group differences at baseline.

Results

The cohort included 43 677 patients (28 885 [66%] girls); 24 573 in the treatment group and 19 104 in the control group. The median age was 15 (IQR, 14-16) years. The outcome occurred in 96 individuals by 12 weeks and in 291 by 52 weeks. The cumulative incidence of mania was 0.26% (95% CI, 0.19%-0.33%) in the treatment group and 0.20% (95% CI, 0.13%-0.27%) in the control group at 12 weeks, with a risk difference of 0.06% (95% CI, -0.04% to 0.16%). At 52 weeks, the cumulative incidence was 0.79% (95% CI, 0.68%-0.91%) in the treatment group and 0.52% (95% CI, 0.40%-0.63%) in the control group (risk difference, 0.28%; 95% CI, 0.12%-0.44%). Hospitalizations, parental bipolar disorder, and use of antipsychotics and antiepileptics were the most important predictors of mania/hypomania by 12 weeks.

Conclusion

This cohort study found no evidence of treatment-emergent mania/hypomania by 12 weeks in children and adolescents. This corresponds to the time frame for antidepressants to exert their psychotropic effect. A small risk difference was found only with longer follow-up. Certain patient characteristics were associated with mania/hypomania, which warrants clinical attention.

Comedication and Polypharmacy With ADHD Medications in Adults: A Swedish Nationwide Study

Objective: Evidence regarding comedication among individuals with ADHD is lacking, especially in adults. This study investigated comedication and polypharmacy with ADHD medications in adults. Method: We identified adults dispensed with ADHD medications during 2013 in Sweden and matched them to controls. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) of receiving other medications. Results: Individuals receiving ADHD medications had higher risk of receiving any major classes of somatic medications (ORs ranged from 4.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [4.0, 4.3], to 7.4, 95% CI = [6.5, 8.5] across age groups). They were more likely to receive respiratory system, alimentary tract and metabolic system, and cardiovascular system medications. In addition, they had higher risk of receiving any other psychotropic medications. The proportion of polypharmacy with five or more medication classes increased from 10.1% to 60.4% from 18 to 64 years. Conclusion: Comedication was more common in adults receiving ADHD medications. Potential benefits and harms of comedication and polypharmacy require further research. (J. of Att. Dis. XXXX; XX[X] XX-XX).

Effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment following diagnosis of depression on suicidal behaviour risk: a target trial emulation

There is concern regarding the impact of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) on suicidal behaviour. Using the target trial framework, we investigated the effect on suicidal behaviour of SSRI treatment following a depression diagnosis. We identified 162,267 individuals receiving a depression diagnosis aged 6-59 years during 2006-2018 in Stockholm County, Sweden, after at least 1 year without antidepressant dispensation. Individuals who initiated an SSRI within 28 days of the diagnosis were assigned as SSRI initiators, others as non-initiators. Intention-to-treat and per-protocol effects were estimated; for the latter, individuals were censored when they ceased adhering to their assigned treatment strategy. We applied inverse probability weighting (IPW) to account for baseline confounding in the intention-to-treat analysis, and additionally for treatment non-adherence and time-varying confounding in the per-protocol analysis. The suicidal behaviour risk difference (RD), and risk ratio (RR) between SSRI initiators and non-initiators were estimated at 12 weeks. In the overall cohort, we found an increased risk of suicidal behaviour among SSRI initiators (intention-to-treat RR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.25, 1.80; per-protocol RR = 1.69, 95% CI = 1.20, 2.36). In age strata, we only found evidence of an increased risk among individuals under age 25, with the greatest risk among 6-17-year-olds (intention-to-treat RR = 2.90, 95% CI = 1.72, 4.91; per-protocol RR = 3.34, 95% CI = 1.59, 7.00). Our finding of an increased suicidal behaviour risk among individuals under age 25 reflects evidence from RCTs. We found no evidence of an effect in the high-risk group of individuals with past suicidal behaviour. Further studies with information on a wider array of confounders are called for.

Associations between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and violent crime in adolescents, young, and older adults - a Swedish register-based study

This study identified individuals ever dispensed a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) aged 15-60 years during 2006-2013, using Swedish national registers. The outcome was violent crime conviction. The main statistical analyses assessed risks of violent crime during periods on compared to off SSRI treatment within individuals. Further analyses investigated risk over time in relation to treatment initiation and discontinuation. The study identified 785,337 individuals (64.2% female), experiencing 32,203 violent crimes in 5,707,293 person-years. Between-individual analyses found statistically significantly elevated Hazard Ratios (HRs) overall (HR = 1.10), and in 15-24 and 25-34 year-olds (HR = 1.19 and 1.16), but non-significant HRs in 35-44 and 45-60-year-olds (HR = 1.02 and 1.04). In within-individual analyses, where 2.6% of SSRI users were informative, hazards were elevated overall (HR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.19, 1.34), and across age groups (HR of 1.35 [95% CI = 1.19, 1.54] in 25-34-year-olds to 1.15 [95% CI = 0.99, 1.33] in 35-44-year-olds). In the overall cohort, the within-individual HRs were significantly elevated throughout treatment (HRs of 1.24 to 1.35) and for up to 12 weeks post-discontinuation (HRs of 1.37 and 1.20). While questions on causality remain, these results indicate that there may be an increased risk of violent crime during SSRI treatment in a small group of individuals. It may persist throughout medicated periods, across age groups, and after treatment discontinuation. Further confirmation is needed from studies with different designs, and clinical focus should be on high-risk individuals, as a majority of SSRI-users (around 97% in our cohort) will not commit violent crimes.

Association of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment with acute substance misuse outcomes

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are widely prescribed medications for patients with anxiety/depression. These patients often have problems with substance use, but it remains unclear whether the risk of substance misuse is influenced by SSRI treatment. We aimed to determine whether SSRI treatment is associated with a decreased risk of acute substance misuse-related outcomes.

DESIGN

Cohort study following individuals through Swedish nation-wide registers between July 2005 and December 2013 and comparing the risk of substance misuse outcomes during periods on- versus off-treatment within the same individual.

SETTING

Swedish general population.

PARTICIPANTS

Individuals with a newly dispensed prescription of SSRIs between July 2006 and December 2013 and an ICD-10 diagnosis of anxiety/depressive disorder before the first treatment initiation. The cohort included 146 114 individuals (60.7% women).

MEASUREMENTS

Substance misuse outcomes included ICD-10 diagnoses of acute intoxications (F10.0-F19.0), accidental poisonings by alcohol or drugs (X41-X42, X45-X46) and substance-related criminal offenses.

FINDINGS

The absolute rate of substance misuse increased sharply before the onset of SSRI treatment and decreased after treatment initiation. Stratified Cox regression models showed an elevated risk [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.62-1.78] of substance misuse outcomes during a 1-month period preceding treatment initiation, compared with the reference period of more than 1 month before treatment start. The on-treatment estimates (1-30 days, HR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.23-1.37; 31-120 days, HR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.24-1.35; and > 120 days, HR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.18-1.30 after treatment initiation] were consistently lower than the 1-month pre-treatment estimate, but still elevated compared with the reference period.

CONCLUSIONS

For people with anxiety/depression, the risk of substance misuse appears to be particularly elevated immediately before initiating selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment, which may reflect the emergence or worsening of substance use problems concurrently with anxiety/depression. SSRI treatment appears to be associated with a lower risk of substance misuse compared with the 1-month period preceding treatment initiation, but causality remains uncertain.

Study designs and statistical approaches to suicide and prevention research in real-world data

OBJECTIVE

To provide researchers, clinicians and policy makers with a primer to study designs, statistical approaches and graphical reporting methods for suicide research in real world data (RWD).

METHODS

Study designs, statistical method and graphical reporting standards are detailed with examples from the recently published literature.

RESULTS

Data sources and codes for identifying suicidal behavior are described. Study designs are described in detail for post-market surveillance, retrospective cohort studies, case control and nested case-control studies, and self-controlled (within-individual) studies including applications of marginal structural models. Graphical reporting of designs is described using an original research study.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to RCTs, RWE studies offer larger sample sizes, greater generalizability, and real-world validity. However, these non-experimental data risk uncontrolled confounding and potential introduction of bias unless data, design and statistical approaches are rigorously aligned.

Psychotropic Medication Use in Children and Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes

Importance

Children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) face elevated risks of psychiatric disorders. Despite their nonnegligible adverse effects, psychotropic medications are a common cost-effective approach to alleviating psychiatric symptoms, but evidence regarding their dispensation to children and adolescents with T1D remains lacking.

Objective

To examine the trends and patterns of psychotropic medication dispensation among children and adolescents with T1D in Sweden between 2006 and 2019.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study used data from multiple Swedish registers. The main study cohort included children and adolescents residing in Sweden from 2006 to 2019 and was followed up until the earliest of December 31, 2019, 18th birthday, emigration, or death. Data analyses were conducted from November 1, 2022, to April 30, 2023.

Exposures

Type 1 diabetes.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcomes were trends and patterns of psychotropic medication dispensation (including antipsychotics, antidepressants, anxiolytics, hypnotics, mood stabilizers, and medications for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]), psychotropic medication initiation, and history of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric diagnosis. Cumulative incidence curves and Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the aggregated incidence and hazard ratios of medication initiation after diabetes onset.

Results

Of 3 723 745 children and adolescents (1 896 199 boys [50.9%]), 13 200 (0.4%; 7242 boys [54.9%]) had T1D (median [IQR] age at diagnosis, 11.1 [7.6-14.7] years). Between 2006 and 2019, psychotropic medication dispensation increased from 0.85% (95% CI, 0.65%-1.10%) to 3.84% (3.11%-4.69%) among children and from 2.72% (95% CI, 2.15%-3.39%) to 13.54% (95% CI, 12.88%-14.23%) among adolescents with T1D, consistently higher than their peers without T1D. The most commonly dispensed medications included hypnotics, ADHD medications, anxiolytics, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and all exhibited increasing trends. For those with T1D, psychiatric care was the primary prescription source, and up to 50.1% of treatments lasted more than 12 months. In addition, children and adolescents with T1D showed higher cumulative incidence and hazard ratios of medication initiation after diabetes onset than their same-age and same-sex counterparts.

Conclusions and Relevance

This cohort study found an increasing trend in psychotropic medication dispensation among children and adolescents with T1D from 2006 to 2019, persistently higher than those without T1D. These findings call for further in-depth investigations into the benefits and risks of psychotropic medications within this population and highlight the importance of integrating pediatric diabetes care and mental health care for early detection of psychological needs and careful monitoring of medication use.

Comparative Safety of Antidepressants in Adults with CKD

BACKGROUND

Depression is prevalent in patients with CKD and is related to poor prognosis. Despite the widespread use of antidepressants in the CKD population, their safety remains unclear.

METHODS

We identified adults with CKD stages G3-5 (eGFR <60 ml/min per 1.73 m 2 not treated with dialysis) and incident depression diagnosis during 2007-2019 from the Stockholm Creatinine Measurements project. Using the target trial emulation framework, we compared the following treatment strategies: ( 1 ) initiating versus not initiating antidepressants, ( 2 ) initiating mirtazapine versus selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and ( 3 ) initiating SSRIs with a lower dose versus a standard dose.

RESULTS

Of 7798 eligible individuals, 5743 (74%) initiated antidepressant treatment. Compared with noninitiation, initiation of antidepressants was associated with higher hazards of short-term outcomes, including hip fracture (hazard ratio [HR], 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.88 to 1.74) and upper gastrointestinal bleeding (HR, 1.38; 95% CI, 0.82 to 2.31), although not statistically significant. Initiation of antidepressants was not associated with long-term outcomes, including all-cause mortality, major adverse cardiovascular event, CKD progression, and suicidal behavior. Compared with SSRIs, initiation of mirtazapine was associated with a lower hazard of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (HR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.29 to 0.96), but a higher hazard of mortality (HR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.22). Compared with the standard dose, initiation of SSRIs with a lower dose was associated with nonstatistically significantly lower hazards of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (HR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.35 to 1.34) and CKD progression (HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.63 to 1.02), but a higher hazard of cardiac arrest (HR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.02 to 5.40).

CONCLUSIONS

Antidepressant treatment was associated with short-term adverse outcomes but not long-term outcomes in people with CKD and depression.

Use of central nervous system drugs in combination with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment: A Bayesian screening study for risk of suicidal behavior

BACKGROUND

Using other central nervous system (CNS) medications in combination with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment is common. Despite this, there is limited evidence on the impact on suicidal behavior of combining specific medications. We aim to provide evidence on signals for suicidal behavior risk when initiating CNS drugs during and outside of SSRI treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using a linkage of Swedish national registers, we identified a national cohort of SSRI users aged 6-59 years residing in Sweden 2006-2013. We used a two-stage Bayesian Poisson model to estimate the incidence rate ratio (IRR) of suicidal behavior in periods up to 90 days before and after a CNS drug initiation during SSRI treatment, while accounting for multiple testing. For comparison, and to assess whether there were interactions between SSRIs and other CNS drugs, we also estimated the IRR of initiating the CNS drug without SSRI treatment.

RESULTS

We identified 53 common CNS drugs initiated during SSRI treatment, dispensed to 262,721 individuals. We found 20 CNS drugs with statistically significant IRRs. Of these, two showed a greater risk of suicidal behavior after versus before initiating the CNS drug (alprazolam, IRR = 1.39; flunitrazepam, IRR = 1.83). We found several novel signals of drugs that were statistically significantly associated with a reduction in the suicidal behavior risk. We did not find evidence of harmful interactions between SSRIs and the selected CNS drugs.

CONCLUSION

Several of the detected signals for reduced risk correspond to drugs where there is previous evidence of benefit for antidepressant augmentation (e.g., olanzapine, quetiapine, lithium, buspirone, and mirtazapine). Novel signals of reduced suicidal behavior risk, including for lamotrigine, valproic acid, risperidone, and melatonin, warrant further investigation.

Use of hormonal contraceptives and antidepressants and risks of suicidal behavior and accidents among women with premenstrual disorders: a nationwide cohort study

BACKGROUND

Women with premenstrual disorders (PMDs) are at increased risks of suicidal behavior and accidents. However, the effect of PMD first-line treatment on such risks have not been assessed.

METHODS

To study the association between use of hormonal contraceptives or antidepressants and subsequent risks of suicidal behavior and accidents among women with PMDs. We conducted a nationwide register-based cohort study with between- and within-individual analyses in Sweden. All women with a clinical diagnosis/indication of PMDs recorded in the Patient Register and the Prescribed Drug Register during 1987-2011 were included (n = 23 029, age 15-52 years). Information on hormonal contraceptives and antidepressants prescribed for these women was obtained from the Prescribed Drug Register. Events of suicidal behavior (complete suicide and suicide attempt) and accidents were separately identified through the Patient and the Causes of Death Registers. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of suicidal behavior and accidents after use of hormonal contraceptives or antidepressants were estimated in between-individual and within-individual analyses (i.e., comparing the risk between use and no use in the same individual) using Poisson regression.

RESULTS

Women with PMDs were followed for a median of 6.2 years. Compared to no use of hormonal contraceptives, use of hormonal contraceptives was associated with a lower risk of suicidal behavior in both between-individual (IRR 0.76, 0.43-1.34) and within-individual analyses (IRR 0.65, 0.51-0.83). These risk reductions were primarily restricted to combined products (IRR 0.18, 0.07-0.47 and 0.19, 0.08-0.42 in between- and within-individual analyses) and observed among women with/without psychiatric comorbidities (p for interaction 0.830 and 0.043 in between- and within-individual analyses). Yet, the use of hormonal contraceptives was not consistently associated with risk of accidents between between-individual (IRR 1.13, 1.01-1.27) and within-individual analyses (IRR 1.01, 0.92-1.11). Use of antidepressants was associated with a higher risk of suicidal behavior and accidents in both between- and within-individual analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that use of hormonal contraceptives, particularly combined products, is associated with reduced rates of suicidal behaviors, but not accidents, among women with PMDs. The estimates for antidepressants may be biased by indication.

A nationwide study of initiation of antidepressant pharmacotherapy and the risk of seizures

OBJECTIVE

The present study aimed to examine whether antidepressant initiation increases the risk of hospitalizations and unplanned outpatient visits for seizures. Research has provided conflicting evidence as to whether antidepressant initiation causes seizures. Because epilepsy and depression are comorbid, this remains an important question, particularly in the care of those already at-risk for seizures.

METHODS

We used Swedish-register data, including 658,766 antidepressant initiators and 1:1 age-, region-, and sex-matched non-initiators, ages 12-65. We used filled prescriptions to identify any antidepressant and serotonergic antidepressant and inpatient hospitalizations and unplanned outpatient (to avoid coding routine epilepsy maintenance as a seizure) visits to identify seizures, respectively. We first compared seizure visit incidence between antidepressant-initiators and matched non-users in the year following initiation from 2006 to 2013. To examine seizure risk over months pre- and post-initiation, within-individual analyses compared risk during the month one year prior to initiation with all subsequent months. We examined associations for any antidepressant and serotonergic antidepressants, as well as for any initiator and initiators with a history of seizures.

RESULTS

Our matched-cohort results showed higher incidence of seizure visits among antidepressant users compared with non-users (e.g., adjusted incidence rate ratio [IRR]=3.14, 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.83-3.49). In within-individual analyses, the months after initiation were associated with higher incidence of seizure visits when compared with the month one year prior to initiation (e.g., one month after initiation IRR=1.96, 95%CI=1.64-2.34), but in individuals with a seizure history we observed weaker or no associations in the months after initiation (e.g., two months after initiation IRR=1.12, 95%CI=0.87-1.45). Notably, irrespective of potential seizure history, the months preceding initiation were associated with the greatest risk (e.g., one month before initiation IRR=2.86, 95% CI=2.42-3.38).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that there may be an elevated risk of seizures during antidepressant treatment, though the period of highest risk was before the initiation of antidepressants. Risk for seizure visits was lower among individuals with a history of prior seizures, which may be reassuring for the clinical care of these patients or indicate lack of treatment seeking following seizures. This study highlights the need to consider seizure risk across time; the failure to account for these dynamics may help account for discrepant findings in previous studies.

Kidney function and prescribed dose in middle‐aged and older patients starting selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

Purpose

To avoid adverse drug reactions, dose reductions are recommended when prescribing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) to patients with impaired kidney function. The extent of this practice in routine clinical care is however unknown. We aimed to evaluate the starting and maintenance SSRI doses prescribed to patients stratified by levels of kidney function in real‐world practice.

Methods

Using data from the Stockholm CREAtinine Measurements (SCREAM) project, we identified 101 409 new users of antidepressants (including 52 286 SSRI users) in the region of Stockholm during 2006–2019, who were ≥50 years of age and had a recent creatinine test taken in order to estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). SSRI dose reduction was defined as a prescribed SSRI dose of ≤0.5 defined daily doses, according to current recommendations. We examined the associations between eGFR and reductions in initial dose and maintenance dose of SSRIs using logistic regression models.

Results

Overall, reductions in initial and maintenance dose were observed among 54.1% and 34.1% of new SSRI users. Nevertheless, about 40% of individuals with an eGFR <30 ml/min/1.73 m² were prescribed an SSRI without dose reduction. After adjusting for age and other covariates, lower eGFR was associated with moderately higher odds of dose reduction, for both initial and maintenance dose. Compared to individuals with an eGFR of 90–104 ml/min/1.73 m², the adjusted odds ratios for those with an eGFR <30 ml/min/1.73 m² were 1.18 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.36) for initial dose reduction, and 1.49 (1.29, 1.72) for maintenance dose reduction. Stratified analyses showed stronger associations between lower eGFR and SSRI dose reduction among individuals aged 50–64 years and in those receiving prescriptions from psychiatric care.

Conclusions

Lower kidney function was moderately associated with a reduced SSRI dose, independently of age. Prescribing SSRIs to middle‐aged and older patients should not only consider patients' age but also their kidney function.

Predicting risk of suicidal behaviour after initiation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in children, adolescents and young adults: protocol for development and validation of clinical prediction models

INTRODUCTION

There is concern regarding suicidal behaviour risk during selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) treatment among the young. A clinically useful model for predicting suicidal behaviour risk should have high predictive performance in terms of discrimination and calibration; transparency and ease of implementation are desirable.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Using Swedish national registers, we will identify individuals initiating an SSRI aged 8-24 years 2007-2020. We will develop: (A) a model based on a broad set of predictors, and (B) a model based on a restricted set of predictors. For the broad predictor model, we will consider an ensemble of four base models: XGBoost (XG), neural net (NN), elastic net logistic regression (EN) and support vector machine (SVM). The predictors with the greatest contribution to predictive performance in the base models will be determined. For the restricted predictor model, clinical input will be used to select predictors based on the top predictors in the broad model, and inputted in each of the XG, NN, EN and SVM models. If any show superiority in predictive performance as defined by the area under the receiver-operator curve, this model will be selected as the final model; otherwise, the EN model will be selected. The training and testing samples will consist of data from 2007 to 2017 and from 2018 to 2020, respectively. We will additionally assess the final model performance in individuals receiving a depression diagnosis within 90 days before SSRI initiation.The aims are to (A) develop a model predicting suicidal behaviour risk after SSRI initiation among children and youths, using machine learning methods, and (B) develop a model with a restricted set of predictors, favouring transparency and scalability.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The research is approved by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (2020-06540). We will disseminate findings by publishing in peer-reviewed open-access journals, and presenting at international conferences.