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Use of Antiepileptic or Benzodiazepine Medication and Suicidal Ideation – the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 April 2020

I. Rissanen
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Clinical Medicine University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
E. Jääskeläinen
Affiliation:
Institute of Health Sciences, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
M. Isohanni
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Clinical Medicine University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
H. Koponen
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Clinical Medicine University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
H. Ansakorpi
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, Oulu University Hospital University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
J. Miettunen
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Clinical Medicine University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland

Abstract

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Introduction

Antiepilepticsand benzodiazepines have been associated with increased risk of suicidality. However, in previous studies the severity of depression and anxiety have not been takeninto account as possible confounders.

Objectives

To find out how antiepileptics and benzodiazepines effect suicidal ideation andother symptoms in general population.

Aims

To assessthe association between use of antiepileptics or benzodiazepines and suicidalideation in relation to other symptoms of depression and anxiety. Theassociation will be studied in different diagnostic groups in a largepopulation-based cohort.

Methods

Information on the prescribed medications in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort1966 was collected at the age of 31 years with a postal questionnaire(N=8,211). The presence of suicidal ideation and other symptoms of depressionand anxiety was assessed via the Symptom Checklist –questionnaire. Theassociations between medications and suicidal ideation were studied indifferent diagnostic groups: epilepsy, depression, any non-organic mentaldisorder, and control group.

Results

There were no difference in suicidal ideation between antiepileptic users(n=54) and non-users (n=8,157) (suicidal ideation mean 1.07 vs. 1.05, p=0.63). Subjectsusing benzodiazepines (n=147) had more suicidal ideation than non-users(n=8,064) (1.29 vs. 1.05, p<0.001). The antiepileptic and benzodiazepineusers had more other depression and anxiety symptoms. When adjusting for thesesymptoms, both antiepileptic and benzodiazepine users had less suicidalideation than non-users. This was found in all diagnostic groups.

Conclusions

Either use of antiepileptics or benzodiazepines wasnot associated with increased suicidal ideation when symptoms of depression andanxiety were taken into account.

Type
Article: 0948
Copyright
Copyright © European Psychiatric Association 2015
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