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Efficacy of anti‐inflammatory treatment on major depressive disorder or depressive symptoms: meta‐analysis of clinical trials
Author(s) -
KöhlerForsberg O.,
N. Lydholm C.,
Hjorthøj C.,
Nordentoft M.,
Mors O.,
Benros M. E.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/acps.13016
Subject(s) - medicine , major depressive disorder , antidepressant , meta analysis , relative risk , placebo , depression (economics) , confidence interval , randomized controlled trial , clinical trial , psychiatry , alternative medicine , pathology , amygdala , hippocampus , economics , macroeconomics
Background No study has gathered evidence from all randomized clinical trials ( RCT s) with anti‐inflammatory drugs measuring antidepressant effects including a detailed assessment of side‐effects and bias. Methods We performed a systematic review identifying RCT s published prior to January 1, 2018, studying antidepressant treatment effects and side‐effects of pharmacological anti‐inflammatory intervention in adults with major depressive disorder ( MDD ) or depressive symptoms. Outcomes were depression scores after treatment, remission, response, and side‐effects. Pooled standard mean differences ( SMD ) and risk ratios ( RR ) including 95% confidence intervals (95%‐ CI ) were calculated. Results We identified 36 RCT s, whereof 13 investigated NSAID s ( N  = 4214), 9 cytokine inhibitors ( N  = 3345), seven statins ( N  = 1576), 3 minocycline ( N  = 151), 2 pioglitazone ( N  = 77), and 2 glucocorticoids (N = 59). Anti‐inflammatory agents improved depressive symptoms compared to placebo as add‐on in patients with MDD ( SMD  = −0.64; 95%‐ CI  = −0.88, −0.40; I 2  = 51%; N  = 597) and as monotherapy ( SMD  = −0.41; 95%‐ CI  = −0.60, −0.22; I 2  = 93%, N  = 8825). Anti‐inflammatory add‐on improved response ( RR  = 1.76; 95%‐ CI  = 1.44–2.16; I 2  = 16%; N  = 341) and remission ( RR  = 2.14; 95%‐ CI  = 1.03–4.48; I 2  = 57%; N  = 270). We found a trend toward an increased risk for infections, and all studies showed high risk of bias. Conclusion Anti‐inflammatory agents improved antidepressant treatment effects. Future RCT s need to include longer follow‐up, identify optimal doses and subgroups of patients that can benefit from anti‐inflammatory intervention.

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