Dataset Information

Risk of Ventricular Arrhythmia with Citalopram and Escitalopram: A Population-Based Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The risk of ventricular arrhythmia with citalopram and escitalopram is controversial. In this study we investigated the association between these two drugs and the risk of ventricular arrhythmia.

Methods

We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study of older adults (mean age 76 years) from 2002 to 2012 in Ontario, Canada, newly prescribed citalopram (n = 137 701) or escitalopram (n = 38 436), compared to those prescribed referent antidepressants sertraline or paroxetine (n = 96 620). After inverse probability of treatment weighting using a propensity score, the baseline characteristics of the comparison groups were similar. The primary outcome was a hospital encounter with ventricular arrhythmia within 90 days of a new prescription, assessed using hospital diagnostic codes. The secondary outcome was all-cause mortality within 90 days.

Results

Citalopram was associated with a higher risk of a hospital encounter with ventricular arrhythmia compared with referent antidepressants (0.06% vs. 0.04%, relative risk [RR] 1.53, 95% confidence intervals [CI]1.03 to 2.29), and a higher risk of mortality (3.49% vs. 3.12%, RR 1.12, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.18). Escitalopram was not associated with a higher risk of ventricular arrhythmia compared with the referent antidepressants (0.03% vs. 0.04%, RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.42 to 1.68), but was associated with a higher risk of mortality (2.86% vs. 2.63%, RR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.18).

Conclusion

Among older adults, initiation of citalopram compared to two referent antidepressants was associated with a small but statistically significant increase in the 90-day risk of a hospital encounter for ventricular arrhythmia.

SUBMITTER: Qirjazi E

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4981428 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Risk of Ventricular Arrhythmia with Citalopram and Escitalopram: A Population-Based Study.

Qirjazi Elena E McArthur Eric E Nash Danielle M DM Dixon Stephanie N SN Weir Matthew A MA Vasudev Akshya A Jandoc Racquel R Gula Lorne J LJ Oliver Matthew J MJ Wald Ron R Garg Amit X AX

PloS one 20160811 8

<h4>Background</h4>The risk of ventricular arrhythmia with citalopram and escitalopram is controversial. In this study we investigated the association between these two drugs and the risk of ventricular arrhythmia.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study of older adults (mean age 76 years) from 2002 to 2012 in Ontario, Canada, newly prescribed citalopram (n = 137 701) or escitalopram (n = 38 436), compared to those prescribed referent antidepressants sertraline ...[more]

PMID: 27513855

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Dataset Information

Risk of Ventricular Arrhythmia with Citalopram and Escitalopram: A Population-Based Study.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Risk of Ventricular Arrhythmia with Citalopram and Escitalopram: A Population-Based Study.

Similar Datasets

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