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Use of antidepressant agents and the risk of type 2 diabetes

European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology volume 68, pages 1295–1302 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Purpose

To determine whether there is an association between antidepressant use and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Methods

This study was a retrospective cohort analysis using the Texas Medicaid prescription claims database. Data were extracted for new users of either antidepressant agents (exposed) or benzodiazepines (unexposed) from January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2009. Patients aged 18–64 years without a prior history of diabetes were included. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to examine the association between diabetes incidence among exposed and unexposed groups, while controlling for demographic and clinical covariates.

Results

Among the total study population (N = 44,715), the majority were in the exposed (N = 35,552) versus the unexposed (N = 9,163) group. A total of 2,943 patients (6.6%) developed type 2 diabetes during the follow-up period. Antidepressant use was associated with an increase in the risk of diabetes when compared to benzodiazepine use (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.558, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.401–1.734). The association was observed with tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs; HR 1.759, 95% CI 1.517–2.040), serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs; HR 1.566. 95% CI 1.351–1.816), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; HR 1.481, 95% CI 1.318–1.665), and “other” antidepressants (HR 1.376; 95% CI 1.198–1.581).

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that antidepressant use is associated with an increased risk of diabetes. This association was observed with use of TCAs, SNRIs, SSRIs, and “other” antidepressants.

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Acknowledgments and funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Pharmacology, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, PO Box A 178, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe

    S. Khoza

  2. College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA

    J. C. Barner, K. Rascati, K. Lawson & J. P. Wilson

  3. School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA

    T. M. Bohman

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  1. S. Khoza
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  2. J. C. Barner
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  3. T. M. Bohman
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  4. K. Rascati
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  5. K. Lawson
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  6. J. P. Wilson
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Correspondence to S. Khoza.

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Khoza, S., Barner, J.C., Bohman, T.M. et al. Use of antidepressant agents and the risk of type 2 diabetes. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 68, 1295–1302 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-011-1168-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-011-1168-3

Keywords

  • Antidepressant agents
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Retrospective cohort