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Pharmacopsychiatry
DOI: 10.1055/a-2381-2061
Original Paper

Increased Odds of Cognitive Impairment in Adults with Depressive Symptoms and Antidepressant Use

Shakila Meshkat
1   Interventional Psychiatry Program, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
,
Michelle Wu
2   Department of Biostatistics, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
,
Vanessa K Tassone
1   Interventional Psychiatry Program, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
3   Institute of Medical Science, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
,
Reinhard Janssen-Aguilar
1   Interventional Psychiatry Program, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
,
Hilary Pang
4   Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
,
Hyejung Jung
2   Department of Biostatistics, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
,
Wendy Lou
2   Department of Biostatistics, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
,
Venkat Bhat
1   Interventional Psychiatry Program, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
3   Institute of Medical Science, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
4   Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
5   Neuroscience Research Program, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
› Author Affiliations Funding This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.
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Abstract

Introduction The relationship between antidepressant use and class with cognition in depression is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the association of cognition with depressive symptoms and antidepressant use (class, duration, number).

Methods Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were examined for cognitive function through various tests and memory issues through the Medical Conditions questionnaire. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9.

Results A total of 2867 participants were included. Participants with depressive symptoms had significantly higher odds of cognitive impairment (CI) on the animal fluency test (aOR=1.89, 95% CI=1.30, 2.73, P=0.002) and Digit Symbol Substitution test (aOR=2.58, 95% CI=1.34, 4.9, P=0.007), as well as subjective memory issues (aOR=7.25, 95% CI=4.26, 12.32, P<0.001) than those without depression. There were no statistically significant associations between any of the CI categories and depressive symptoms treated with an antidepressant and antidepressant use duration. Participants who were using more than one antidepressant had significantly higher odds of subjective memory issues than those who were using one antidepressant. Specifically, users of atypical antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) had significantly higher odds of subjective memory issues in comparison to no antidepressants, with TCAs showing the largest odds (aOR=4.21, 95% CI=1.19, 14.86, P=0.028).

Discussion This study highlights the relationship between depressive symptoms, antidepressant use, and CI. Future studies should further evaluate the mechanism underlying this phenomenon.

Keywords

depression - cognition - cognitive impairment - NHANES - antidepressants

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 07 February 2024
Received: 13 May 2024

Accepted: 26 July 2024

Article published online:
23 August 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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