People who have been using anti-depressants for a long time could be at an increased risk of gaining weight. The findings of this study are published in the BMJ journal.
The findings show that patients prescribed any of the 12 most commonly used antidepressants were more likely to experience weight gain than those not taking the drugs. The risk was greatest during the second and third years of treatment.
Long-term Use of Antidepressants May Up Obesity Risk
Taking antidepressants for a long time can lead to a higher risk of being overweight or obese. Making lifestyle changes like dieting and exercising can help minimize the risk of weight gain.
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‘People who were of normal weight at the start had a higher risk of moving to either the overweight or obese groups during the study, and people who were initially overweight had a higher risk of moving to the obese group if they were taking antidepressants.
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Obesity and weight gain are global public health problems, with approximately 60% of UK adults currently overweight or obese. Depression is common in people who are severely obese, and the rate of antidepressant prescribing is increasing, which could have a potential impact on public health.
However, little research has been reported on the impact of widespread antidepressant treatment on weight gain.
So a UK based research team, led by Rafael Gafoor at King's College London, set out to investigate the association between the use of antidepressants and weight gain.
![How Do Antidepressants Work?]( "How Do Antidepressants Work?")
Drugs used to treat depression and anxiety disorders interact with the protein that transports serotonin in the brain.
The researchers analyzed body weight and body mass measurement data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) for over 300,000 adults with an average age of 51, whose body mass index (BMI) had been recorded three or more times during GP consultations from 2004-2014.
Participants were grouped according to their BMI (from normal weight to severely obese) and whether or not they had been prescribed an antidepressant in a given year. Participants were then monitored for a total of 10 years.
The researchers found that the absolute risk of gaining at least 5% weight without antidepressant use was 8.1 per 100 person-years; whereas the risk with antidepressant use was 9.8 per 100 person-years.
To put this into context, this means that for every 59 people taking antidepressants, one extra person would gain at least 5% weight over the study period.
The risk was greatest during the second and third years of treatment. During the second year of treatment, the risk of gaining at least 5% weight was 46% higher than in the general population, but no association was found during the first 12 months of treatment.
They also found that people who were initially of normal weight had a higher risk of moving to either the overweight or obese groups, and people who were initially overweight had a higher risk of moving to the obese group if they were taking antidepressants.
Results remained largely unchanged after further analysis to take account of various factors including age, sex and whether the participants had other conditions such as diabetes, stroke, and cancer.
This is an observational study so that no firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect, and the researchers outline some limitations that could have affected the results. However, strengths include a large number of participants and long-term follow up.
The researchers say that the results suggest the widespread use of antidepressants "may be contributing to long-term increased weight gain at a population level and that the potential for weight gain should be considered when antidepressant treatment is indicated."
Lead author Dr. Rafael Gafoor from King's College London, said: "It's important to stress that no patients should stop taking their medication and that if they have any concerns, they should speak with their doctor or pharmacist."*
In a linked editorial, Alessandro Serretti and Stefano Porcelli, from the University of Bologna emphasize that doctors should give lifestyle advice on diet and exercise to minimize the risk of gaining weight and that weight should be measured during antidepressant treatment.
They say that whilst antidepressant treatment should always be offered to those with moderate or severe depression, alternative treatment such as group cognitive behavioral therapy may be preferable for people with milder depression.
"Currently, we are still unable to identify patients at higher risk of weight gain with antidepressants. Hopefully, it will be possible in the not too distant future to identify a genetic predisposition and recognize those at higher risk before treatment is started", the authors conclude.
Source: Eurekalert
So a UK based research team, led by Rafael Gafoor at King's College London, set out to investigate the association between the use of antidepressants and weight gain.
How Do Antidepressants Work?
Drugs used to treat depression and anxiety disorders interact with the protein that transports serotonin in the brain.
Advertisement
The researchers analyzed body weight and body mass measurement data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) for over 300,000 adults with an average age of 51, whose body mass index (BMI) had been recorded three or more times during GP consultations from 2004-2014.
Participants were grouped according to their BMI (from normal weight to severely obese) and whether or not they had been prescribed an antidepressant in a given year. Participants were then monitored for a total of 10 years.
The researchers found that the absolute risk of gaining at least 5% weight without antidepressant use was 8.1 per 100 person-years; whereas the risk with antidepressant use was 9.8 per 100 person-years.
To put this into context, this means that for every 59 people taking antidepressants, one extra person would gain at least 5% weight over the study period.
The risk was greatest during the second and third years of treatment. During the second year of treatment, the risk of gaining at least 5% weight was 46% higher than in the general population, but no association was found during the first 12 months of treatment.
They also found that people who were initially of normal weight had a higher risk of moving to either the overweight or obese groups, and people who were initially overweight had a higher risk of moving to the obese group if they were taking antidepressants.
Results remained largely unchanged after further analysis to take account of various factors including age, sex and whether the participants had other conditions such as diabetes, stroke, and cancer.
This is an observational study so that no firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect, and the researchers outline some limitations that could have affected the results. However, strengths include a large number of participants and long-term follow up.
The researchers say that the results suggest the widespread use of antidepressants "may be contributing to long-term increased weight gain at a population level and that the potential for weight gain should be considered when antidepressant treatment is indicated."
Lead author Dr. Rafael Gafoor from King's College London, said: "It's important to stress that no patients should stop taking their medication and that if they have any concerns, they should speak with their doctor or pharmacist."*
In a linked editorial, Alessandro Serretti and Stefano Porcelli, from the University of Bologna emphasize that doctors should give lifestyle advice on diet and exercise to minimize the risk of gaining weight and that weight should be measured during antidepressant treatment.
They say that whilst antidepressant treatment should always be offered to those with moderate or severe depression, alternative treatment such as group cognitive behavioral therapy may be preferable for people with milder depression.
"Currently, we are still unable to identify patients at higher risk of weight gain with antidepressants. Hopefully, it will be possible in the not too distant future to identify a genetic predisposition and recognize those at higher risk before treatment is started", the authors conclude.
Source: Eurekalert
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