Taken from: http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080407/suicide_study_080407/20080407?hub=Health


A new study has found that fewer young people received treatment for depression and suicides rose among children and adolescents following a Health Canada warning about the use of antidepressants.

Researchers from the University of Manitoba analyzed data on prescription and health care use by almost 3 million children, adolescents and young adults. They looked specifically at the nine years before the warnings were issued in 2004 and the two years after.

The researchers found that after the warnings were issued:

- prescriptions of antidepressants decreased by 14 per cent among children and adolescents and 10 per cent among young adults.
- there was a 10 per cent decrease in doctor visits for depression among children, teens and young adults.
- the suicide rate among children and adolescents increased by 25 per cent (though researchers couldn't say whether the spike was related to the warnings or other factors).

"We had no concern about the warnings themselves," said lead study author Dr. Laurence Katz of the University of Manitoba. "Because they did not say to not use antidepressants. They did say, 'there are some safety concerns so if you are taking them, make sure you see your doctor regularly -- once a week for the first month or two.'"

The study was published Tuesday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Health Canada issued warnings in 2004 about antidepressant use among children and adolescents. They followed warnings from other agencies after some trials showed an increased risk for suicidal behavior among children and teens who were taking antidepressants.

The warnings advised doctors to watch for side effects, such as suicidal thoughts, in the first few months after prescribing an antidepressant to a child or teen.

The researchers decided to study whether or not the Health Canada warnings had an impact on the delivery of medical care.

"There is almost no research out there on what is the impact of health-care warnings issued by regulatory bodies," said Katz.

In this study, the researchers concluded that the antidepressant warnings led to some unintended consequences.

"I don't think anyone intended for there to be less treatment for depression," said Katz. "One of the things we worry about is did people just get scared about getting treatment for depression?"

Dr. Muhammad Mamdani of Toronto's St. Michael's Hospital says that more balanced warnings, which convey both the benefits and risks of any treatment, are needed.

"A lot of information that comes out is not only confusing for the public, it's also confusing for physicians, for health-care providers; also for decision makers."

Researchers hope that this study will help agencies that issue health-care warnings make them clearer so doctors and the general public get an accurate message, Katz said.