Research · April 29, 2014
TAKE-HOME MESSAGE
- This analysis of 15 case-control studies (n = 393,268) and 4 cohort studies found an increased risk of upper GI bleeding with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.44–1.92). The addition of NSAIDs further increased this risk (OR, 4.25; 95% CI, 2.82–6.42).
- SSRIs modestly increase the risk of upper GI bleeding, but the risk increases significantly when SSRIs are combined with NSAIDs. Clinicians should be cautious when prescribing the two medications together and discuss the risks with patients.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES
There is emerging concern that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be associated with an increased risk of upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, and that this risk may be further increased by concurrent use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medications. Previous reviews of a relatively small number of studies have reported a substantial risk of upper GI bleeding with SSRIs; however, more recent studies have produced variable results. The objective of this study was to obtain a more precise estimate of the risk of upper GI bleeding with SSRIs, with or without concurrent NSAID use.
METHODS
MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, the Cochrane central register of controlled trials (through April 2013), and US and European conference proceedings were searched. Controlled trials, cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies that reported the incidence of upper GI bleeding in adults on SSRIs with or without concurrent NSAID use, compared with placebo or no treatment were included. Data were extracted independently by two authors. Dichotomous data were pooled to obtain odds ratio (OR) of the risk of upper GI bleeding with SSRIs +/- NSAID, with a 95% confidence interval (CI). The main outcome and measure of the study was the risk of upper GI bleeding with SSRIs compared with placebo or no treatment.
RESULTS
Fifteen case-control studies (including 393,268 participants) and four cohort studies were included in the analysis. There was an increased risk of upper GI bleeding with SSRI medications in the case-control studies (OR=1.66, 95% CI=1.44,1.92) and cohort studies (OR=1.68, 95% CI=1.13,2.50). The number needed to harm for upper GI bleeding with SSRI treatment in a low-risk population was 3,177, and in a high-risk population it was 881. The risk of upper GI bleeding was further increased with the use of both SSRI and NSAID medications (OR=4.25, 95% CI=2.82,6.42).
CONCLUSIONS
SSRI medications are associated with a modest increase in the risk of upper GI bleeding, which is lower than has previously been estimated. This risk is significantly elevated when SSRI medications are used in combination with NSAIDs, and physicians prescribing these medications together should exercise caution and discuss this risk with patients.
The American Journal of Gastroenterology
Risk of Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding With Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors With or Without Concurrent Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Use: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Am. J. Gastroenterol 2014 Apr 29;[EPub Ahead of Print], R Anglin, Y Yuan, P Moayyedi, F Tse, D Armstrong, GI Leontiadis