Start of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and increase of antiparkinsonian drug treatment in patients on levodopa

Publication date

2002-08

Authors

van de Vijver, D.R.E.ISNI 0000000036570372
Roos, R A C
Jansen, Pascal W T CISNI 0000000493227801
Porsius, AISNI 0000000392144695
De Boer, AnthoniusISNI 0000000389596105

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Article
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Abstract

AIMS: We determined whether the start of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) in levodopa users was followed by a faster increase of antiparkinsonian drug treatment. METHODS: Selected were all levodopa users of 55 years and older from the PHARMO prescription database. The rate of increase of antiparkinsonian drug treatment was compared using Cox's proportional hazard model for starters of SSRI (n = 15) with starters of tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) (n = 31) and with patients not using antidepressants (n = 304), and was adjusted for age, gender, and duration of levodopa use. RESULTS: The hazard ratio for the SSRI group compared with the TCA group was 4.2 (95% confidence interval 1.4, 12.6) and compared with the second control group was 2.7 (1.2, 5.2). CONCLUSIONS: The start of SSRI therapy in levodopa users is followed by a faster increase of antiparkinsonian drug treatment.

Keywords

Econometric and Statistical Methods: General, Geneeskunde (GENK), Farmacie/Biofarmaceutische wetenschappen (FARM), Epidemiology, Farmacie(FARM), Geneeskunde(GENK), Bescherming en bevordering van de menselijke gezondheid, Biomedische technologie en medicijnen, Ziekenhuisstructuur en organisatie van de gezondheidszorg, Public Health, Internal medicine, SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

Citation

van de Vijver, D A M C, Roos, R A C, Jansen, P A F, Porsius, A J & de Boer, A 2002, 'Start of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and increase of antiparkinsonian drug treatment in patients on levodopa', British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, vol. 54, no. 2, pp. 168-170.