23 Oct Analgesics May Enhance Depression Treatment
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Karl Ole Köhler, Research assistant
Department of Clinical Medicine
The Department of General Psychiatry
Aarhus University
Medical Research: What are the main findings of the study?
Response: We found that anti-inflammatory drugs and ordinary analgesics, which mainly are used against physical disorders, may have treatment effects against depression when used in combination with antidepressants. Thereby, our results furthermore support the hypothesis regarding a comorbidity between inflammatory diseases and depression, i.e. a connection between somatic and mental disorders.
Medical Research: What was most surprising about the results?
Response: That medications which primarily are used in the treatment of physical complaints may have an impact on depression and depressive symptoms.
Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Response: Clinicians and patients should not initiate treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs, such as NSAIDs, with the indication of depression. Our results only represent a proof-of-concept. Our findings emphasize the importance of the comorbidity between somatic and mental disorders, and that treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs may represent a beneficial treatment for subgroups of depressed patients.
Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Response: Future clinical trials should focus on identification of depressed patients that may benefit of anti-inflammatory intervention. Some studies have found that a simple blood-test indicating whether an inflammatory state is present may help detecting these patients. In addition, it is important to find out for how long patients should be treated and at which doses.
Furthermore, future trials should focus more on side effects. Potential treatment effects of anti-inflammatory drugs always have to be balanced against the risk for side effects.
Citation:
Effect of Anti-inflammatory Treatment on Depression, Depressive Symptoms, and Adverse Effects
Jama Psychiatry October 15 2014
Last Updated on October 24, 2014 by Marie Benz MD FAAD