Poster #58 - Effectiveness and Suicide Risk of Antidepressant use in Young Depressed Adults: a Systematic Literature Review

• In Event: 1-061 - Poster Session 02
  In Poster Session: PS 02 Section - Developmental Psychopathology

Integrative Statement

Traditionally, both clinical studies and clinical guidelines looking into the effects of antidepressants have regarded either the age group of under 18 years of age or the age group of 18 and older. This set up ignores the age group of young adults, even though more and more evidence supports the claim that the period of 18-25 is a distinct (neurocognitive) developmental time (e.g., Johnson, 2009).
From the literature it is known that children and adolescents who are treated for a major depressive disorder with antidepressants have an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and actions (suicidality), particularly when taking Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (Hetrick, 2008) – in many countries resulting in warnings and discouragements to prescribe antidepressants to this group. The current study regarded the state of knowledge with respect to the effects of antidepressants in the specific age group of young adults (aged 18-25).

We conducted a systematic literature review on the use of antidepressants related to A) the effectiveness in reducing depressive symptoms; and B) the risk of suicidality. We searched for meta-analyses and systematic reviews published from 2007 up until the date of the search (October 2017) in the following databases: SCOPUS, Cochrane library and PsycINFO.

We identified 133 studies in search A. After screening the abstracts, none were included in the systematic review. We identified 140 studies in search B. After screening the abstracts, one was included in the systematic review. One study was added after checking the reference list for relevant studies.
The literature looking into the specific age group of young adults with respect to antidepressant use is scarce. It is currently unknown whether the effectiveness of antidepressants differs for young adults and older adults. The available literature shows it is likely that young adults with a psychiatric indication have an increased risk of suicidality when using antidepressants (Stone et al., 2009). No differences were found for young adults with a major depressive disorder between those taking antidepressants and those taking a placebo on suicidality (Stone et al., 2009; Beasly et al., 2007).

In conclusion, hardly any studies were found looking into the effects of antidepressant use in young adults. The few studies that we found indicated that specific clinical guidelines for the age group of 18-25 could be beneficial. The US Food and Drug Administration already extended their safety warning for antidepressants to young adults, but more research is needed to verify if distinct clinical recommendations for young adults are needed.

Authors

• Meinou Theunissen, TNO
  Non-Presenting Author

• Leanthe van Harten, TNO
  Presenting Author

• Fieke Pannebakker, TNO
  Non-Presenting Author