Antidepressant use and the components of the frailty syndrome

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the effects of antidepressant use on components of frailty. Methods: a cross-sectional and analytical study comparing groups of users and non-users of antidepressants was carried out in a municipal region in the south of Brazil. The research was linked to the matrix study "Health of Elderly Persons in Primary Care". The sample was selected through access to the database of the matrix study from which two groups were extracted: users (n=87) and non-users (n=114) of antidepressants. After selection of the groups, data collection was carried out between June and September 2016 in the homes of the elderly, and included information on sociodemographic characteristics, use of medications and the evaluation of frailty. Pearson's Chi-square hypothesis test was used to verify the association between the groups and the Odds Ratio (OR) was used to calculate risk. Results: The prevalence of frailty was 62.7% and was associated with the group that used antidepressants. Among the components of frailty an association between the user group and fatigue, low gait speed and unintentional weight loss was found. A greater risk of frailty among elderly persons using tricyclic antidepressants and antidepressants potentially inappropriate for the elderly was identified. Conclusions: an association between frailty and antidepressant use was found. These results indicate the need for the clinical evaluation of the risks and benefits of prescribing antidepressants for the elderly; and reveal that when treatment begins, the monitoring and assessment of geriatric characteristics are required to ensure the safety and quality of life of the elderly.

Prevalence of Frailty in Brazilian Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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Avaliação do perfil dos antidepressivos e ansiolíticos dispensados em uma drogaria: um estudo de campo

“…E a classe dos antagonistas dos receptores alfa 2 agem bloqueando a recaptação aumentando a noradrenalina e seus efeitos são, aumento do apetite, sedação porque bloqueia HI. Esse grupo causa menos efeitos colaterais que os compostos tricíclicos (BANDEIRA, et al, 2018).…”

The depressed frail phenotype as a risk factor for mortality in older adults: A prospective cohort in Peru

“…There are still gaps in relation to the usefulness of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions to improve the quality of life of older adults with the depressive frail phenotype, as well as to avoid a greater impact of depression in frail individuals, and vice versa. Nonetheless, the use of antidepressants could have serious adverse effects in frail and comorbid populations, such as an increased risk of hyponatremia, bleeding, vision disturbances, memory loss, delirium, and falls [ 49 , 50 ]. This situation highlights the need for more intervention studies including patients with the depressed frail phenotype due to the high risk of mortality.…”